What has changed since your society became an ECCO Country Member?
The IBD community in Serbia is better acknowledged, with an increased number of meetings and memberships. An IBD Register has been created and is continuously updated, and we also have a register of IBD pregnant women and pregnancy outcomes. We have a good and fruitful collaboration with the patient association, UKUKS. In accordance with the ECCO Guidelines, we have national guidelines for diagnostics, therapy, IBD and tuberculosis. Endoscopic reporting is standardised on a national level. Two UC and CD ECCO-EFFCA Patient Guidelines have been translated, printed and distributed to patients.

What are the benefits to you of being an ECCO Country Member?
The membership offers better access to professional and scientific information. It gives young doctors the opportunity to attend the IBD Intensive Advanced Course, as well as the possibility of applying for the ECCO Travel Award.
ECCO is also very supportive of the nurses, helping them to specialise in IBD.
With the UR-CARE Project, all doctors have a unique opportunity to use and be part of a common patient database, which is a valuable tool for exchanging knowledge and contributes to clinical research projects.

Is your society making use of the ECCO Guidelines?
Yes:

• As mentioned above, two UC and CD ECCO-EFCCA Patient Guidelines have been translated, printed and distributed to patients.
• The Serbian National Representatives have contributed actively to the ECCO Guidelines.
• In accordance with the ECCO Guidelines, several national guidelines have been implemented.

Have you developed links with other countries through your ECCO Country Membership? 
Yes, we have developed links with neighbouring countries not only in South-East Europe but also all around Europe.

• Have you developed research projects with other countries through your ECCO Country Membership? 
  No, but we are looking to join new projects.
• Have you developed educational activities with other countries through your ECCO Country Membership?
  Yes, we have had a masterclass and educational workshops with international attendance.
• Has your country been involved in a fellow exchange through ECCO?
  Yes, our young doctors attend the IBD Intensive Advanced Course and benefit from the ECCO Travel Award.

What are your main areas of research interest?
Novel biological therapies through clinical studies.

Does your centre or country have a common IBD database or bio bank?  
Yes, we have a national IBD register.

What are your most prestigious/interesting past and ongoing projects?

• Organising multidisciplinary educational workshops and meetings
• A Grant Award to support young gastroenterologists doing PhDs related to IBD
• Improvement and ongoing updating of the IBD register

What are your aims for the future? 

• To contribute to international projects and research
• To improve the knowledge of IBD in Serbia through local educational events
• To attend the ECCO Educational Workshops
• To host an ECCO Educational Workshop in Serbia
• To improve the quality of health care of patients with IBD
• To educate patients and health care providers about prevention, accurate diagnosis, implementation of newer techniques and incorporation of recent evidence in order to achieve optimal therapy for IBD

How do you see ECCO helping you to fulfil these aims? 

• By connecting and providing clear information in a timely manner
• By supporting different clinical and scientific projects

What do you use ECCO for? Network? Congress? How do you use the things/services that ECCO has to offer?

• Congress
• Use of the e-CCO Learning Platform
• Use of the ECCO Guidelines
• Use of the Journal of Crohn's and Colitis
• We use ECCO in many ways, taking advantage of all the provided opportunities

Mirjana Cvetkovic  © Mirjana Cvetkovic

Srdjan Djuranovic  © Srdjan Djuranovic