Telenursing Practices for Inflammatory Bowel Disease: An Interview Study

Telenursing services are widely used to support individuals with inflammatory bowel disease in several countries. Nurses supporting this population must manage diverse symptoms and care needs, but many report challenges in responding to telephone consultations. This qualitative study aimed to identify and describe the specific elements of telenursing practice for patients with inflammatory bowel disease in Japan, and the aspects that nurses consider important in remote care. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 nurses who had extensive experience in telenursing for inflammatory bowel disease, who were selected through purposive sampling. Data were analyzed using inductive content analysis. Participants had a median of 10 years of telenursing experience. Six categories of practice were identified: (1) educate and inform in advance, (2) clarify the situation and needs, (3) assess worsening symptoms and decide the response, (4) recommend responses to worsening symptoms, (5) respond to issues other than physical deterioration, and (6) nurse-to-patient contact. Three key elements were highlighted as essential to effective telenursing: establishing a coordinated system, clarifying the role of telenursing, and improving nursing skills. These findings provide a clearer understanding of telenursing practices and offer guidance for enhancing support for individuals with inflammatory bowel disease.