International Organization for the Study of Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Global Strategies for Telemedicine and Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

Abstract

Before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the majority of care for inflammatory bowel disease patients was provided in-person. The practice of gastroenterology care has since rapidly transformed, with telemedicine emerging as an essential tool to provide medical care to patients while maintaining social distancing and conserving personal protective equipment. This article provides insight into past and current practices among inflammatory bowel disease specialists and shares regulatory, financial and practical considerations for incorporating telemedicine into clinical practice. Continued government and other payer support for telemedicine and ongoing innovation to provide remote objective patient data will help to sustain the use of telemedicine long after the current pandemic subsides.

Keywords: COVID-19; Telemedicine; inflammatory bowel disease; reimbursement.