Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Improving treatment of patients with inflammatory bowel diseases: a controlled trial of a multifaceted intervention in two German cities

  • Original Article
  • Published:
International Journal of Colorectal Disease Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

Many recommendations from clinical practice guidelines are not implemented. We aimed to develop and evaluate a multifaceted strategy for the implementation of guidelines for Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC).

Methods

In the intervention region (Berlin, Germany), a continuing medical education course was held, brief guidelines for practice were distributed to all family physicians and gastroenterologists, and patient guidelines were distributed to all surveyed patients. Educational outreach visits with local opinion leaders were also conducted. No specific interventions were performed in the control region (Hamburg, Germany). Prior to the intervention and 1 year later, 1900 members of three statutory sickness funds were asked about their treatment according to guidelines with (1) long-term aminosalicylates and (2) immunosuppressants, (3) whether they took long-term glucocorticoids for maintenance of remission, (4) if they smoked, in CD patients, and (5) about the surveillance colonoscopies, in UC patients.

Results

Response rate after implementation was 20.1%. Responders differed between intervention and control region by age and by distribution between patients with UC or CD. After 1 year, more patients were treated according to clinical practice guidelines in the control region than in the intervention region. More patients in the intervention region took immunosuppressants after 1 year, and fewer had a surveillance colonoscopy. However, no before–after comparison was statistically significant.

Conclusions

This implementation strategy of UC and CD guidelines did not result in a statistically significant effect. Future implementation of guidelines for inflammatory bowel disease might need thorough evaluation of barriers and the support of theory-based concepts.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Colombel J-F, Narula N, Peyrin-Biroulet L (2017) Management strategies to improve outcomes of patients with inflammatory bowel diseases. Gastroenterology 152:351–361.e5. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.gastro.2016.09.046

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Grimshaw JM, Shirran L, Thomas R et al (2001) Changing provider behavior: an overview of systematic reviews of interventions. Med Care 39:II2–I45

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Chauhan BF, Jeyaraman MM, Mann AS, Lys J, Skidmore B, Sibley KM, Abou-Setta A, Zarychanksi R (2017) Behavior change interventions and policies influencing primary healthcare professionals’ practice—an overview of reviews. Implement Sci IS 12:3. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13012-016-0538-8

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Berry SK, Siegel CA, Melmed GY (2017) Quality improvement initiatives in inflammatory bowel disease. Curr Gastroenterol Rep 19:41. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11894-017-0581-x

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Kredel LI, Schneidereit O, Hoffmann JC, Siegmund B, Preiß JC (2018) Guideline recommendations for treatment of patients with inflammatory bowel diseases are not implemented in clinical practice—results of a non-representative survey. Int J Color Dis 34:431–440. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00384-018-3215-3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Reynolds C, Esrailian E, Hommes D (2018) Quality improvement in gastroenterology: a systematic review of practical interventions for clinicians. Dig Dis Sci 63:2507–2518. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-018-5198-x

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Walsh AJ, Weltman M, Burger D, Vivekanandarajah S, Connor S, Howlett M, Radford-Smith G, Selby W, Veillard AS, Grimm MC, Travis SPL, Lawrance IC (2013) Implementing guidelines on the prevention of opportunistic infections in inflammatory bowel disease. J Crohns Colitis 7:e449–e456. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crohns.2013.02.019

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Greene L, Sapir T, Moreo K, Carter JD, Patel B, Higgins PDR (2015) Impact of quality improvement educational interventions on documented adherence to quality measures for adults with Crohn’s disease. Inflamm Bowel Dis 21:2165–2171. https://doi.org/10.1097/MIB.0000000000000462

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Greene L, Moreo K (2015) Quality improvement education to improve performance on ulcerative colitis quality measures and care processes aligned with national quality strategy priorities. BMJ Qual Improv Rep 4. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjquality.u208829.w3554

  10. Sapir T, Moreo K, Carter JD, Greene L, Patel B, Higgins PDR (2016) Continuing medical education improves gastroenterologists’ compliance with inflammatory bowel disease quality measures. Dig Dis Sci 61:1862–1869. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-016-4061-1

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Christensen KR, Steenholdt C, Buhl SS, Ainsworth MA, Thomsen OØ, Brynskov J (2015) Systematic information to health-care professionals about vaccination guidelines improves adherence in patients with inflammatory bowel disease in anti-TNFα therapy. Am J Gastroenterol 110:1526–1532. https://doi.org/10.1038/ajg.2015.162

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Bokemeyer B (2003) Kosten der allgemeinmedizinischen Versorgung von Patienten mit chronisch-entzündlichen Darmerkrankungen. Z Gastroenterol 41:963–964. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2003-41830

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Amelung V, Wolf S, Hildebrandt H (2012) Integrated care in Germany—a stony but necessary road! Int J Integr Care 12. https://doi.org/10.5334/ijic.853

  14. Busse R, Blümel M, Knieps F, Bärnighausen T (2017) Statutory health insurance in Germany: a health system shaped by 135 years of solidarity, self-governance, and competition. Lancet 390:882–897. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(17)31280-1

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Stange EF, Schreiber S, Fölsch UR, von Herbay A, Schölmerich J, Hoffmann J, Zeitz M, Fleig WE, Buhr HJ, Kroesen AJ, Moser G, Matthes H, Adler G, Reinshagen M, Stein J (2003) Diagnostik und Therapie des M. Crohn—Ergebnisse einer evidenzbasierten Konsensuskonferenz der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Verdauungs-und Stoffwechselkrankheiten. Z Gastroenterol 41:19–20. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2003-36661

  16. Hoffmann JC, Zeitz M, Bischoff SC, Brambs HJ, Bruch HP, Buhr HJ, Dignaß A, Fischer I, Fleig W, Fölsch UR, Herrlinger K, Höhne W, Jantschek G, Kaltz B, Keller KM, Knebel U, Kroesen AJ, Kruis W, Matthes H, Moser G, Mundt S, Pox C, Reinshagen M, Reißmann A, Riemann J, Rogler G, Schmiegel W, Schölmerich J, Schreiber S, Schwandner O, Selbmann HK, Stange EF, Utzig M, Wittekind C (2004) Diagnostik und Therapie der Colitis Ulcerosa: Ergebnisse einer evidenzbasierten Konsensuskonferenz der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Verdauungs- und Stoffwechselerkrankungen zusammen mit dem Kompetenznetz chronisch entzündliche Darmerkrankungen. Z Gastroenterol 42:979–983. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2004-813510

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Hiss RG, Macdonald R, David WR (1978) Identification of physician educational influentials (EI’s) in small community hospitals. Annu Conf Res Med Educ 17:283–288

    Google Scholar 

  18. Münch C, Gottschall M, Hübsch G, Köberlein-Neu J, Schübel J, Bergmann A, Voigt K (2016) Quality of documented diagnosis in primary care—an analysis using the example of thyroid disorders. Z Für Evidenz Fortbild Qual Im Gesundheitswesen 115:56–62. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.zefq.2016.03.016

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Erler A, Beyer M, Muth C, Gerlach FM, Brennecke R (2009) Garbage in—garbage out? Validität von Abrechnungsdiagnosen in hausärztlichen Praxen. Gesundheitswesen 71:823–831. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0029-1214399

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. O’Brien MA, Rogers S, Jamtvedt G et al (2007) Educational outreach visits: effects on professional practice and health care outcomes. Cochrane Database Syst Rev:CD000409. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD000409.pub2

  21. Forsetlund L, Bjørndal A, Rashidian A et al (2009) Continuing education meetings and workshops: effects on professional practice and health care outcomes. Cochrane Database Syst Rev:CD003030. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD003030.pub2

  22. Flodgren G, Parmelli E, Doumit G, Gattellari M, O'Brien MA, Grimshaw J, Eccles MP, Cochrane Effective Practice and Organisation of Care Group (2011) Local opinion leaders: effects on professional practice and health care outcomes. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD000125.pub4

  23. Flodgren G, Hall AM, Goulding L, Eccles MP, Grimshaw JM, Leng GC, Shepperd S, Cochrane Effective Practice and Organisation of Care Group (2016) Tools developed and disseminated by guideline producers to promote the uptake of their guidelines. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD010669.pub2

  24. Fønhus MS, Dalsbø TK, Johansen M, Fretheim A, Skirbekk H, Flottorp SA, Cochrane Effective Practice and Organisation of Care Group (2018) Patient-mediated interventions to improve professional practice. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD012472.pub2

  25. Melmed GY, Siegel CA, Spiegel BM, Allen JI, Cima R, Colombel JF, Dassopoulos T, Denson LA, Dudley-Brown S, Garb A, Hanauer SB, Kappelman MD, Lewis JD, Lynch I, Moynihan A, Rubin DT, Sartor RB, Schwartz RM, Wolf DC, Ullman TA (2013) Quality indicators for inflammatory bowel disease: development of process and outcome measures. Inflamm Bowel Dis 19:662–668. https://doi.org/10.1097/mib.0b013e31828278a2

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. ICHOM | inflammatory bowel disease standard set | measuring outcomes. In: ICHOM—Int. Consort Health Outcomes Meas https://www.ichom.org/medical-conditions/inflammatory-bowel-disease/. Accessed 2 Dec 2018

  27. Fischer F, Lange K, Klose K, Greiner W, Kraemer A (2016) Barriers and strategies in guideline implementation—a scoping review. Healthcare 4. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare4030036

  28. Johnson MJ, May CR (2015) Promoting professional behaviour change in healthcare: what interventions work, and why? A theory-led overview of systematic reviews. BMJ Open 5:e008592. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2015-008592

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We gratefully acknowledge the support of three German statutory sickness funds, the AOK Nordost (Katrin Peise), TK (Christine Vietor), and the AOK Rheinland/Hamburg (Markus Feger), as well as Annegret Schönberg for secretarial assistance and Mary Louise Grossman for English language support. This manuscript is dedicated to the memory of Wolfgang Höhne (1953–2012) and Martin Zeitz (1950–2013).

Funding agency

This study was funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung), through the Kompetenznetz Entzündliche Darmerkrankungen (grant number 01 GI 0486).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Medizinische Klinik m. S. Gastroenterologie, Infektiologie und Rheumatologie, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Hindenburgdamm 30, Berlin, 12200, Germany

    Jan C. Preiß, Oliver Schneidereit & Britta Siegmund

  2. Klinik für Innere Medizin—Gastroenterologie, Diabetologie und Hepatologie, Vivantes Klinikum Neukölln, Berlin, Germany

    Jan C. Preiß

  3. Klinik für Anästhesie, Segeberger Kliniken, Bad Segeberg, Germany

    Oliver Schneidereit

  4. Medizinische Klinik I, St. Marienkrankenhaus, Ludwigshafen, Germany

    Jörg C. Hoffmann

Authors
  1. Jan C. Preiß
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Oliver Schneidereit
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Britta Siegmund
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Jörg C. Hoffmann
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jan C. Preiß.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

J.C.P. served as a consultant for MSD, Pfizer, Takeda, and Biogen and received lecture fees from Vifor, Falk, Janssen, Abbvie, Pfizer, Vifor, MSD, and Takeda. B.S. received a research grant from Pfizer, served as consultant for Falk, Janssen, MSD, Abbvie, Celgene, Lilly, Takeda, Pfizer, and Hospira and received lecture fees from Abbvie, Celgene, Falk, Ferring, Janssen, MSD, Merck, and Takeda; all funds were transferred to the Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany. J.C.H. served as consultant for Amgen, Astra, Falk, Hexal, Janssen, Pfizer, Steigerwald, and Takeda, and received lecture fees from Falk, Janssen, MSD, Pfizer, and Takeda.

Ethical approval

All procedures performed in this study were in accordance with ethical standards of the institutional research committee (approval number EA4/092/09) and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments. All patient-related data were anonymized after open questions had been resolved in responders who provided contact information. The local data protection commissioner approved the study protocol.

Informed consent

Informed consent was assumed if patients sent in their questionnaire.

Additional information

Publisher’s note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Electronic supplementary material

ESM 1

(DOCX 16 kb)

ESM 2

(PDF 601 kb)

ESM 3

(PDF 188 kb)

ESM 4

(DOCX 16 kb)

ESM 5

(DOCX 20 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Preiß, J.C., Schneidereit, O., Siegmund, B. et al. Improving treatment of patients with inflammatory bowel diseases: a controlled trial of a multifaceted intervention in two German cities. Int J Colorectal Dis 34, 1233–1240 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00384-019-03317-y

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00384-019-03317-y

Keywords

Search

Navigation