Modernising Coeliac Disease Dietitian Follow-Up: Engagement and Functionality of a Digital Annual Review

UK guidance recommends adults living with coeliac disease (CD) receive annual care from a dietitian. However, many CD provisions have difficulties meeting these demands. The study aimed to evaluate a digital virtual annual review (VAR) tool as an alternative method of reviewing clinically stable adults with CD annually.

This single-centre retrospective study analysed data between September 2022 and March 2024. Adults living with CD, diagnosed for > 3 years and deemed clinically stable by a specialist CD dietitian, received a link to complete the digital VAR tool. Chi-squared analysis assessed the relationship between demographics and engagement with the tool. Median value indicated clinician triage time. Outcomes of the triage process were presented as frequency and percentages. Ethical approval was obtained from local higher education institute, and information governance approval was received through local processes.

The majority (81.7%, n = 165) of service users engaged with the digital VAR tool. The demographics did not influence engagement. The specialist CD dietitian required 14 min on average to triage a singular digital VAR tool. Following triage, 72.4% (n = 102) did not require interim input prior to their routine annual review. Only 22% (n = 31) were deemed to require a follow-up clinic appointment with the specialist CD dietitian to discuss symptoms or GF dietary adherence. Service users mainly preferred the digital VAR tool for future reviews (55%, n = 78).

Our study provides supportive evidence for the effectiveness of a digital annual review tool to improve the efficiency of dietetic service provision for stable adults living with CD.