GUT LINK: A Study of a Care Pathway Across Primary and GI Specialty Care

Michael Stewart

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Irritable Bowel Syndrome; GI Disorders

Treatments: Behavioral: GUT LINK SmartPath

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT05725954

50762

Details and patient eligibility

About

It can be challenging for Primary Healthcare Providers (PHCPs) to differentiate between IBS and more serious illnesses involving the GI tract, such as Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, or cancer. To help with diagnosis and treatment of IBS, evidence-based guidelines have been developed. However, they are not commonly used in primary care practice and PHCPs and patients often feel that GI specialist evaluation and endoscopy is required. The development of care pathways and clinical practice guidelines is essential to support the investigation and management of digestive diseases, such as IBS.

The current pilot study is designed to assess the implementation and early comparative effectiveness of a Clinical Care Pathway for lower GI tract symptoms.

Enrollment: 120 estimated patients

Sex: All

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Must be a general practitioner
• Have a family practice in Nova Scotia, Canada
• Utilize the platform 'virtual hallway' as part of current referral practices
• Deliver care to patients with lower GI complaints

Exclusion criteria

• None

Trial design

Primary purpose: Health Services Research

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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120 participants in 2 patient groups

GUT LINK SmartPath

Experimental group

Description:

physicians will use the interactive GUT LINK Smartpath tool in virtual hallway platform to guide their care and referral practices

Treatment:

Behavioral: GUT LINK SmartPath

control

No Intervention group

Description:

physicians will provide care and refer as per their usual practices