Abstract

The effectiveness of doctor-patient communication in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is crucial to ensure patients’ needs are addressed sensitively. The literature on the evaluation of doctor-patient communication in IBD is limited. This scoping review was conducted to understand the current methods of doctor-patient communication in IBD. Two authors completed the literature search using four electronic databases from inception to 2021 in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. The reference lists of the retrieved studies were also examined. Relevant data from eligible studies were extracted by a single author. A second author verified the accuracy of the extracted data and analysed for discrepancies. Each paper was then assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool for quality assessment. We found 572 articles and included seven studies involving 4369 participants. Evidence suggests that patients diagnosed with IBD require their information needs to be met directly by the doctor or through reliable internet sources. Involving patients in their care through shared decision-making is vital. The role of doctor-patient communication has evolved, and the aim is to actively involve the patient in the forefront of services. This review highlights the importance of keeping patient education at the core of care for patients living with IBD. Patients living with IBD want to be actively involved in the decisions surrounding their care. There is a need to cultivate a culture that includes patients living with IBD in service planning to drive reform in patient education and shared decision-making. Delivering information and education tailored to individuals' needs can enhance the quality of care and improve the health-related quality of life of patients living with IBD.