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. 2019 Nov;69(5):564-569.
doi: 10.1097/MPG.0000000000002431.

Evaluation of a Novel Educational Tool in Adolescents With Inflammatory Bowel Disease: The NEAT Study

Karla K H Vaz  1 , Julia K Carmody  2 , Yue Zhang  3 , Lee A Denson  1 , Kevin A Hommel  2
Affiliations

Evaluation of a Novel Educational Tool in Adolescents With Inflammatory Bowel Disease: The NEAT Study

Karla K H Vaz et al. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2019 Nov.

Abstract

Objectives: Among adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), nonadherence rates are 50 to 88% across medications. Improving education in adults with IBD has been shown to improve coping and adherence to treatment in adults with IBD. Therapeutic patient education (TPE) has been used in patients with chronic diseases to train patients in skills to support treatment adaptation and condition management. This study tested the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a novel TPE intervention in adolescents with IBD.

Methods: In this pilot, mixed-methods study, we evaluated the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of TPE with the IBD Pocket Guide on medication adherence, IBD knowledge, and transition readiness in adolescents ages 11 to 18 years. Medication adherence was monitored using a MedMinder Pill Dispensing system. Participants who were <90% adherent during a 4-week pre-intervention monitoring period were randomized to either a usual care group or an educational intervention (EI) group. Participants were followed for an additional 4 weeks after intervention.

Results: Trends were found in the EI group indicating improved medication adherence and IBD knowledge compared with the usual care group, though differences between groups did not reach statistical significance. Qualitative data showed that participants perceived that they had improved knowledge after the educational intervention.

Conclusions: Therapeutic patient education may be beneficial for improving patient medication adherence and IBD knowledge. Future directions include testing the effects of the intervention with a larger sample.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

Figures

FIGURE 1.
FIGURE 1.
Participant study flow diagram.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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