IBD

The Visit IBD: An Interactive Appointment Experience

Watch this video for tips from Partha Nandi, MD, to help you prepare for your upcoming appointment for inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis). It’s interactive, so you can decide which parts you want to watch and in what order.

By  and Medically Reviewed by 
Reviewed:
Medically Reviewed

Y ou’ve booked your appointment with your gastroenterologist, but you still have work to do. Taking steps now to prepare for that visit can help you come out of it with a plan for managing your inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that you feel good about.

The average doctor’s visit in the United States is about 20 minutes long, according to one study, so you’ll want to provide your doctor with all the information they need to recommend the best treatment plan for you.

The secret to a successful doctor’s visit? “Good communication,” says gastroenterologist Partha Nandi, MD. The more information you provide your doctor with, the better and more accurate their assessment will be.

If your doctor’s visit will be virtual, it’s also important to be prepared for potential technical glitches, such as a poor connection or spotty Wi-Fi, which can interfere with the time you have with your doctor.

Meet Dr. Partha Nandi

Partha Nandi, MD, is a gastroenterologist and internal medicine doctor in Detroit. He’s also the chief health editor at WXYZ ABC Detroit and host of The Dr. Nandi Show, which is a nationally and internationally syndicated medical lifestyle TV show.

His goal as a doctor: “My hope is that everyone who is living with a chronic disease will one day recognize that they are a true health hero.”

Meet Dr. Partha Nandi

Virtual or In Person: Which Type of Appointment Is Right for You?

Telemedicine-or-In-Person-section

S ince COVID-19 began, telemedicine has been on the rise. Between April 2021 and April 2022, 26 percent of doctor’s appointments were virtual, according to a study published in May 2023 in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. Supporting the trend, new laws were enacted during the pandemic to keep telehealth services under Medicare as affordable as in-office visits, paving the way for other insurance plans to do the same.

26 percent of doctor’s appointments were virtual between April 2021 and April 2022
— International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
But, this doesn’t mean your upcoming appointment should be virtual. If you’re seeking a diagnosis because you have symptoms of IBD, you will likely need to schedule an in-person appointment. The same is true if you need blood work, tests that can’t be done via telemedicine, or have to show your physician something that would be difficult to do online.

If your visit is for routine follow-up care with your regular gastroenterologist or primary care doctor, though, a virtual appointment may be ideal. In fact, there’s evidence that people with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis who check in with a physician regularly via telemedicine are better able to manage their symptoms and have fewer and less severe flare-ups.

   Poll

Which type of doctor’s appointment do you prefer?

How to Prep for Your Appointment

Tips for In-Person IBD Appointments

Tips for In-Person IBD Appointments

Next up video playing in 10 seconds

Telemedicine Tips for Your IBD Visit

Telemedicine Tips for Your IBD Visit00:01:46

Benefits of Telemedicine for Crohn's and Colitis

Benefits of Telemedicine for Crohn's and Colitis00:00:51

You may have waited weeks (or months) for this appointment. Now that it’s at hand, you don’t want to forget any important information — for example, that you’re still having occasional symptoms in the middle of the night or interested in trying a new medication.

To stay organized, Dr. Nandi recommends coming to your virtual or in-person appointment with a specific management goal in mind, such as remission or better symptom control, and a list of details that can help your doctor find a way for you to achieve that goal. Think: lists of medications and symptoms, food and sleep schedule logs, and anything else that might be relevant to your health.

“The more information you can give your doctors about your current health and well-being, the better,” he explains.

In-Person-Tips-spotlight

In-Person Appointment Tips and Guidelines

  • Set a goal. Ask yourself what you’re trying to achieve. Ease your symptoms? Avoid surgery? Get a referral for a specialist? “Once I know your expectations, we can work toward them,” Nandi explains.
  • Make a list. It’s easy to forget even your most vital questions when you’re in the middle of a visit. The solution: “Write down the things you want to discuss, and bring the list with you,” says Nandi. “Be specific, and put the most important concerns at the top of the list, so we get to them first.” If you have a lot to discuss, you may need to schedule a follow-up appointment.
  • Take notes. While the average visit may last only 20 minutes, a lot can be discussed in that amount of time. No one expects you to remember it all. “I know how hard it can be to remember everything we talked about, and I want you to leave feeling confident, not confused,” says Nandi.
  • Relax and speak freely. “Sometimes, people are intimidated to speak to their doctors, especially in person,” says Nandi. “I’m not here to judge you. I’m here to help you.” It’s also important to be direct. Stating your problems clearly and directly puts your physician on notice and allows you to spend the time of your visit on finding the right solutions.

Download these tips.

Telemedicine-Tips-spotlight

Telemedicine Tips and Guidelines

  • Do some prep work. Just as you would for an in-person visit, make a list of topics you want to cover.
  • Test the technology. Most healthcare providers will send a checklist prior to your appointment that includes checking your Wi-Fi connection, battery life, and lighting and making sure you’re in a private area.
  • Have props or visuals ready. “If you recently had a symptom like a rash or mouth sore, take a picture and have that at the appointment,” says Nandi. Or, he says, “If you have questions about how to administer a medication or how to use a medical device,” write those down and have the medication or device handy. Your doctor can show you what to do. (You can also email your doctor the images or questions in advance.)
  • Keep your data within reach. If you’re tracking your sleep, food intake, symptoms, and more, have them at hand for reference.

Download these tips.

What to Tell Your Doctor: Your IBD Cheat Sheets

Now is your moment. You’re at the appointment and have one-on-one time with your doctor. Given you may not have a lot of time, take a proactive approach to make sure you cover everything you want to talk about. (Hint: Don’t wait for the doctor to talk first.)

According to a study published in the American Journal of Surgery, working directly with your physician can leave you more satisfied with your care and more likely to stick to your treatment plan.

“Speak up about anything that is impacting your well-being,” says Nandi. “How well are you doing on your medication? Are you having any symptoms? Even issues that may seem unrelated to IBD should be mentioned.”

Download these tips.

What-to-Tell-Your-Doctor-spotlight

What to Tell Your Doctor About Your IBD

Use this list to help select the topics that best apply to you, and then prioritize them from most important to least important:

1. Day-to-day, I feel …

2. My perspective on how well my IBD is managed is …

3. My short-term and long-term goals for IBD treatment are …

4. I have an upcoming occasion — vacation, wedding, family gathering, big presentation at work — and need an IBD plan for it. I’m concerned about …

5. My concerns about my current treatment plan are …

6. Some challenges that I’ve had since my last appointment are …

7. I’ve experienced new or worsening symptoms, including the following:

  • Gastro symptoms include …
  • Other symptoms include …

8. My sleep has been …

9. My energy levels are generally …

10. IBD interferes with my daily life in these ways:

  • I have to cancel plans because …
  • I can’t do activities such as …
  • My issues at work are …
  • My relationship issues are …

11. IBD affects me emotionally and mentally in these ways:

  • I have anxiety about …
  • I have feelings of depression that include …
  • I feel alone because …
  • I’ve taken steps to manage my emotional health, such as …
  • My support system includes …

12. My typical diet looks like this:

  • I eat …
  • I don’t eat …
  • My feelings toward food are …

Download this IBD cheat sheet.

What-to-Tell-Your-Doctor-Treatment spotlight

What to Tell Your Doctor About Your Treatment Plan

Choose the concerns that apply to you, and prioritize them before your next appointment:

1. My short-term and long-term goals for IBD treatment are ...

2. I’ve been on this treatment plan for [X number of] days/months/years, and my symptoms are ...

3. The treatment isn’t controlling my condition as well as I expected because …

4. The treatment doesn’t seem to be working as well as it used to because …

5. I’m experiencing side effects that may be related to the treatment, including …

6. I have a few questions about how to take the medication, including (for example, how to do a self-injection, what time of day to take the medication, what to do if you miss a dose) …

7. I’ve missed or skipped doses because …

8. I’m concerned about affording this medication because …

9. Other medications and supplements that I take are …

10. Alternative therapies that I’ve tried or am considering are …

11. Of the other medications and treatments I’ve tried in the past:

  • Treatments that worked are …
  • Treatments that did not work are …

12. I’m interested to learn more about (for example, a treatment option or clinical trial) …

Download this IBD treatment cheat sheet.

After Your IBD Appointment

After your doctor’s visit, you’re truly in the driver’s seat when it comes to turning your successful appointment into an action plan that helps you reach or maintain remission.

But, that doesn’t mean you have to go it alone until your next appointment; your doctor is still your healthcare partner. With the advent of telehealth and patient portals, it’s easy to stay in touch with your team, ask them questions, and schedule follow-up appointments.

According to research published in The Lancet, IBD patients who take advantage of patient portals to help monitor and manage their symptoms have fewer outpatient visits and hospital admissions.

Use these tips to feel empowered with your IBD care plan:

  • Schedule your next visit now, according to your physician’s recommendation.
  • Find out how to access your healthcare provider’s patient portal, so you can connect with your doctor.
  • Ask for a summary of your visit, as well as a list of tips that can help you manage your condition.
  • Ask for a list of your medications and dosages.
  • Fill your prescriptions right away, and take your medications as prescribed.
  • Review the notes you took during your appointment.
  • Create an action plan that incorporates your doctor’s instructions.
  • Start or continue using a symptom tracker and keeping a food diary, so you’re prepared for your next appointment.
  • If you have questions or can’t remember something, reach out.
   Poll

Do you plan to schedule a telemedicine appointment sometime in the next year?