Participants' views about online psychological interventions for IBD
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Patients' and health professionals' views about online psychological interventions for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): a qualitative exploratory study.
IRAS ID
228517
Contact name
Inna Hanlon
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of York
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 10 days
Research summary
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a condition, which involves chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract (intestines). Approximately 620,000 people are affected by this disease in the UK; with overall annual costs of £470 million.
Patients affected by IBD often report reduced quality of life. Many struggle with symptoms of anxiety and/or depression which may worsen the course of their IBD. However, mental wellbeing is rarely addressed in IBD, with only a small percentage of patients having access to psychological support. Psychotherapy is a well-established talk therapy which can be delivered in person, over the phone or via the internet. Given the limited access to psychologists in the UK in the recent years, this research focuses on exploring online talk therapies. However, there is a need for more evidence on whether online psychological interventions are as effective as those delivered in person. Although a number of quantitative studies have tested the effectiveness of online psychotherapy for IBD, there is currently no data on health professionals' and patients' attitudes to, and experiences with, online psychological interventions for IBD.
This qualitative study will address this gap in knowledge using focus groups with patients and semi-structured interviews with health professionals. The aim of this study is to explore and develop a detailed understanding of health professionals' and patients' views, attitudes and experiences of online psychological interventions in IBD. General barriers/facilitators regarding online interventions, as well as participants' views on the example of the intervention, will be explored.
Exploratory qualitative analysis will examine patient and health professional perceptions and attitudes about online psychological interventions for IBD. Findings from this study will be used to modify an existing online psychological intervention for IBD developed in Australia for future testing in a clinical trial in England, with the potential to improve patients’ quality of life and reduce the cost of care.
REC name
West of Scotland REC 5
REC reference
17/WS/0215
Date of REC Opinion
12 Oct 2017
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion