Finding Your IBD Care Team

Receiving a diagnosis of Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis can be confusing and stressful. You may have a lot of emotions and questions. Will my symptoms improve? What are my treatment options? What are my next steps?

An important place to start is by finding your care team. Together, you can get answers to your questions and create a care plan built just for you. Here are some of the key healthcare professionals that can make up your care team:

Start with a gastroenterologist

Your first step is to find a gastroenterologist—a physician who treats diseases of the digestive system. Your primary care provider can refer you to a gastroenterologist. You should look for someone who specializes in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

A gastroenterologist is your main point of contact. They will guide you throughout your care and treatment. They can do tests and provide a diagnosis. They’ll also give referrals to other specialists on your care team. And even when you see other providers, your gastroenterologist will track your progress. Gastroenterologists for adults treat patients 18 years and older. Kids will often see a pediatric gastroenterologist.

Other specialists on your IBD care team

Managing IBD can involve other healthcare experts as well. They will work together to improve your quality of life. An IBD team combines medical, surgical, nutritional, and emotional expertise. Together, these experts can help you manage or avoid IBD complications.

Other members of your IBD care team could include:

• Colorectal surgeons – Also called GI surgeons, they specialize in procedures for the rectum or colon. Surgery can treat complications and improve the quality of life for some people with IBD. Not everyone with IBD will require surgery. However, meeting with a surgeon early on is often advised so that in the event surgery is recommended, you are prepared and ready.
• Dietitians – A registered dietitian conducts a nutritional assessment of all the foods and beverages you eat, finds nutrient imbalances in your diet, and then creates a plan with dietary recommendations. They can also suggest ways to improve symptoms through what you eat.
• Nurses – You may see a registered nurse or nurse practitioner as part of your care team. A registered nurse coordinates care by communicating with the healthcare team and the patient to ensure that the treatment plan is carried out. A nurse practitioner focuses on all aspects of patient care including healthcare maintenance and patient education. They are permitted to prescribe treatments, order tests, and diagnose patients as well.
• Mental Health Professionals– A mental health professional, which may include a psychologist, masters-level therapist, or clinical social worker, can help patients adjust to changes in their life related to IBD. They can also support healthy behaviors, and help patients improve the ability to cope with chronic pain or chronic illness.
• Radiologists – These imaging specialists perform X-rays and scans of your GI tract.

How to find the right IBD specialist

Your primary care provider can help refer you to a gastroenterologist. You can also find one through our online search tool.

Here are some questions to consider when choosing an IBD specialist:

• Are they in network with your insurance plan?
• Do they specialize in IBD
• Is their office nearby? Are they affiliated with a nearby hospital of choice?
• Can they see patients quickly, or do they have a long wait?

Our newest video, Meet Your IBD Care Team, can tell you more about the roles that specialists can play in your care.

Once you’ve found a specialist, get ready for your visit. You should write down any questions you have ahead of time. Our guide on communicating with your IBD specialist includes questions you might ask your provider. Also consider bringing a family member or friend with you. They can support you and help you take notes.

Finding the right IBD specialist starts with asking the right questions. You should feel comfortable asking them questions and expressing your needs. Together, your care team can help you manage your IBD and feel your best.

Divya Mehrish, a member of the National Council of College Leaders for the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation, reminds her peers that “we are a uniquely powerful lens into IBD.”

“If your provider does not open the space for honest discussions, you can take the initiative to be curious, ask questions, and direct the conversation in a way that will make the space most meaningful to you and your disease state,” she says.

Mehrish has also found online forums to be helpful in talking with other patients and sharing thoughts on how to have these conversations. She’s participated in discussions in the Foundation’s online community forum where patients exchange personal experiences and support each other.

“We are so much more than our chronic illnesses. Through knowledge and the confidence of knowing you have the right people leading your care, we can empower ourselves through this journey.”

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