N-ECCO survey results of nursing practice in caring for patients with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis in Europe

Background and aims: The difference in nursing roles when caring for patients with inflammatory bowel disease varies across Europe with different levels of responsibility. This might vary widely from country to country and even hospital to hospital depending on the local requirements of the patients and the gastroenterology team. This survey was developed to assess the current nursing practice across Europe. Methods: A total of 220 nursing delegates who attended the N-ECCO Meeting and School in 2012 were invited to complete a survey. The survey consisted of 11 questions about the role and responsibility of nurses in the care of patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Results: Of the 220 European nurses, 192 responded (87%). A majority (61%) came from 5 European countries, most were between 30 and 50. years old, 73% worked in public hospitals and 68% were involved in adult care. The level of education varied equally between certificate level, degree level, diploma level and masters' level. The nurses' level of experience, above that of the level of education, was the main factor in determining whether to offer advice or not to the patient, independent of a doctor (p. <. 0.01). Conclusion: This survey has provided an understanding of the nursing role in the care of patients with IBD across Europe as well as Australia, Canada and Israel. It demonstrates that the role of nurses in IBD exists in various settings within hospital care, providing complex management and autonomous nursing care in a range of services to a significant number of patients with IBD.

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