Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation & American Gastroenterological Association Partner to Address Effective Patient-Provider Health Communication in the IBD Community

New York, NY -- The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation (the Foundation) and the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA), in collaboration with Pfizer, Inc., announced today a partnership to develop a program to jumpstart advances in the area of shared decision-making in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The program aims to identify gaps in effective communication and the lack of research on how providers and patients can make decisions together and prevent suboptimal treatment.

“Partnering with the AGA and Pfizer on such an important project is a natural extension of strong relationships we already have with both organizations,” said Michael Osso, President and CEO of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation. “Working together we will address the critical need to identify tools and mechanisms to support shared decision-making and improve health communication between patients and providers.”

According to Timothy Wang, MD, AGAF, AGA President, “The physician patient conversation is integral to ensuring IBD patients are receiving the best care to manage their disease. We are pleased that our work with the Foundation and Pfizer will help identify new ways to facilitate these conversations, which will help health-care professionals provide high-value care.”

AGA and the Foundation are convening an expert steering committee, which will help shape and define the project. The program will consist of a national survey of patients and healthcare practitioners to identify gaps in knowledge and use of shared decision-making in IBD, followed by a request for proposals to develop programs based on the identified gaps and needs to be announced in summer 2017. The culmination of the program will result a stakeholder conference to identify innovative programs, current opportunities and challenges, and build an action plan to address current and future needs. Planning and development will take place between 2017 and 2020.

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About the AGA
The American Gastroenterological Association is the trusted voice of the GI community. Founded in 1897, the AGA has grown to more than 16,000 members from around the globe who are involved in all aspects of the science, practice and advancement of gastroenterology. The AGA Institute administers the practice, research and educational programs of the organization. www.gastro.org.