A new Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Clinic has been established at the McMaster University Medical Centre to provide patient-centred care for IBD patients, who have conditions including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Instead of frequent regular visits, which may be a waste of time for patient and physician, patients may contact an advanced practice nurse promptly when they have concerns. If she is unable to resolve the issue specifically, a specialist gastroenterologist is available.

The IBD Clinic is located in the new Digestive Diseases Clinic at McMaster and features a waiting room with television and a fireplace. Electronic health records will facilitate patient care and clinical research and, in coming months, will provide patients with access to touch screen computers and printers so that they can obtain customized information about their condition.

In addition, a Complex IBD Clinic will be established, with a multidisciplinary team to include an advanced practice nurse, nutritionist, social worker, psychiatrist, surgeon and gastroenterologists to support patients with complicated or severe IBD.

Patients for the clinics come from an area reaching from Niagara Falls through Brantford and the Bruce Peninsula.

The clinic is affiliated with McMaster University’s new Farncombe Family Digestive Health Research Institute, a centre for world-class research in digestive health.