Multi-stakeholder Delphi consensus on future care for inflammatory bowel disease in Belgium.

BACKGROUND

Care for patients with IBD has changed over the last decades with increased prevalence and subsequent financial and organizational burden on the health care system. The aim of this work was to develop a nationwide consensus on how to organize care for patients with IBD.

METHODS

We developed a consensus document through a modified Delphi process including different Belgian stakeholders involved in the care for patients with IBD. Through two voting rounds and a consensus meeting statements were developed.

RESULTS

Thirty-three statements reached consensus through the Delphi process. The statements can be classified in six major domains: IBD registry and data utilization, Patient reported data, Multidisciplinary care, IBD nurse role and financial support, Access to diagnostic and monitoring tools and Treatment and medication reimbursement.

CONCLUSION

We developed a broadly supported consensus on how to organize care for patients with IBD in the Belgian healthcare environment. Selection of focus area should seek for balance between optimization of clinical outcomes, securing quality of care and maintaining financial sustainability.