P511 Evaluation of home faecal calprotectin testing to aid remote management and enhanced self-management of Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
Allen, K.(1)*;Munuswamy, P.(2);
(1)Basildon Hospital, Clinical Biochemistry, Basildon, United Kingdom;(2)Basildon and Thurrock University Hospital, Gastroenterology, Basildon, United Kingdom;
Background
Faecal calprotectin (FC) is an established biomarker for patients with irritable bowel disease (IBD). A treat to target strategy has been shown to be successful in managing these patients and the development of a home FC test (IBDoc) opens the door to a more patient centred approach for IBD management.
Methods
IBD patients in the IBD database at Basildon and Thurrock University Hospital with a compatible smart phone who had previously agreed to monitor FC at home using IBDoc were eligible for inclusion. Usability, patient experience, engagement and understanding of the IBDoc, along with satisfaction with enhanced remote and self-management, were assessed using a mixed methods approach via an online questionnaire consisting of Likert scale questions and a limited number of free text questions.
Results
47 participants were enrolled in the study. Over 85% of responses showed patients found the IBDoc to be user friendly. Over 80% of responses indicated patients were happy with their understanding of the result and what it meant for their disease status. Thematic analysis revealed a personalised care plan for each patient is of crucial importance. Clinicodemographic variables found to influence patient satisfaction with use of the IBDoc and enhanced remote and self-management were treatment type, education history and disease type.
Conclusion
Results demonstrate excellent acceptance of the IBDoc system with good scores for usability and patient understanding. This shows that the home test can be used as an objective patient reported outcome within a treat to target approach. Better educational materials and clinically guided personalised care plans, along with the IBDoc home FC test, make IBD a viable candidate for self-management at the same level as traditionally self-managed diseases such as diabetes.