Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a common gastrointestinal condition and has no cure. This means that patients with IBD need a lifetime of care to increase quality of life and reduce surgery requirements, hospitalization and death rates. Often, patients with IBD don’t discuss preventive care with their doctors as the focus tends to be on the disease itself. IBD patients usually visit a Gastroenterologist (specializes in digestive issues) instead of a primary care physician and so they do not get the care they need and deserve.
Needed Discussions
Discussions regarding the tetanus, diphtheria and flu shot as well as pneumonia and hepatic vaccines conversations occurred in less than half of the visits. Health checklists are available but not being utilized. Since the lack of preventive care amongst IBD patients is a known issue, some solutions have been presented in order to help rectify the situation.
Improved Services
Tomball doctors are developing strategies to increase preventive care services for IBD patients.
- Pre-Visit surveys to identify problem areas for discussion
- Use of an electronic system to share health records amongst patient providers
- Screening patients to pinpoint problem areas
Partners You Can Trust
At PCP For Life, we are aware of the unusual circumstances that affect IBD patients and are ready to serve you with care and attention to detail. See what we can do for you by emailing contact@pcpforlife.com and setting up an appointment. We have 8 locations to serve you, including Houston, Splendora and Tomball.
