REVIEWING THE PSYCHOLOGICAL NEEDS OF PATIENTS WITH INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY WITHIN A PAEDIATRIC GASTROENTEROLOGY PSYCHOLOGY SERVICE.

Maclean, L.; Evans, C.; Walker, W.; Zamvar, V.

REVIEWING THE PSYCHOLOGICAL NEEDS OF PATIENTS WITH INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY WITHIN A PAEDIATRIC GASTROENTEROLOGY PSYCHOLOGY SERVICE.

All Authors

Maclean, L.

Evans, C.

Walker, W.

Zamvar, V.

LTHT Author

Maclean, Louise
Evans, Cathryn
Walker, Wendy
Zamvar, Veena

LTHT Department

Leeds Children's Hospital
Children's Psychology
Gastroenterology Psychology Service
Paediatric Gastroenterology

Non Medic

Clinical Psychologist

Publication Date

2025

Item Type

Conference Abstract

Abstract

Psychological support for children and young people (CYP) with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is integral to supporting optimal wellbeing.1 The biopsychosocial nature of IBD means that psychological support is central in helping patients and families understand the condition, cope with the treatments and achieve optimal psychological functioning. However, psychology is often a limited resource within IBD teams.2 CYP with IBD comprise a significant proportion of referrals to the Specialist Gastroenterology Psychology Service. This study aimed to provide a retrospective analysis of referrals to identify key reasons for referral, consider patterns of referral and better understand the need for psychology support. A review of psychology referrals made for CYP with IBD between October 2023 and October 2024 was undertaken. This study analysed demographic information, reasons for referral and general treatment details including waiting times and sessions attended. 66 CYP with IBD were referred to the Paediatric Gastroenterology Psychology Service between October 2023 and October 2024, with most (76%) being outpatient referrals. CYP with IBD represented 38% of referrals during this period. Interestingly, there were an additional 16% of CYP referred who did not engage with the service after referral, of which 100% were outpatient referrals. For CYP who did engage, there was a wait to be seen that spanned 36 and 96 days, with an average wait of 59 days. The wait for inpatient support was shorter, between 3-18 days. Age at referral ranged between 3 and 17 years, with an average referral age of 11. The number of treatment sessions ranged between 2 and 16 sessions, with an average of 4 sessions. The most common reasons for outpatient referral were for support with adjustment to diagnosis, high anxiety connected to IBD and treatment adherence. In terms of inpatient referrals, the most common referrals were for support with adjustment to diagnosis, procedural distress and surgical preparation, high anxiety and low mood. The data suggests inpatient support required longer and more frequent sessions to best support families. The findings suggest that overall, psychology support is vital in the management of CYP with IBD in this service. Clinical psychology service provision should be developed with the needs of the CYP in mind, considering more efficient referral processes and ways of increasing effectiveness with limited resources. The differing needs of the groups should be considered, and the service streams developed accordingly. For outpatients, there is a need to investigate barriers to engagement with the psychology service. In addition, groups aimed at supporting adjustment and adherence could provide efficient and effective psychological support. In terms of inpatient support, the need for a fast response from the point of referral coupled with the need for more intensive support suggests that practical strategies, such as having a nominated clinician with protected time, could work well in providing optimal support.