Irritable Bowel Disease (IBD) Rounds, held monthly, were seen as a chance for all medical professionals involved in IBD care to engage with each other to discuss diagnosis, treatment, and the unique challenges of management on Vancouver Island. Dr. Dustin Loomes accessed SIFEI funding to host a monthly meeting: A research paper was chosen for a facilitated discussion at the beginning of the meeting, after which the floor was opened for clinicians to bring up challenging cases to the group. Each meeting wrapped up with a discussion surrounding Vancouver Island specific initiatives, challenges, or concerns.
The most significant challenge for this project was an initial low attendance rate. However, by scheduling the meetings prior to the monthly GI division meeting, and shortly after many people’s work days are over, turnout has improved, allowing for rich and meaningful discussion.
Monthly meetings have improved engagement, collaboration, and learning by participating physicians and nurses, and have ultimately provided a scheduled forum for discussing difficult cases and other concerns surrounding IBD on Vancouver Island. Several challenging cases have been discussed, and concerns regarding IBD care have been highlighted. Greater structure and preparation by all attending has led to progressively richer discussions and Dr. Loomes intends to continue this practice into the future.