Inflammatory Bowel Disease Management: A Review of Nurses' Roles in Australia and the United Kingdom

Objective: To explore the role of Australian nurses in the provision of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) health services. Design: A questionnaire survey. Setting: Hospitals in Australia and the South West of the United Kingdom (UK). Subjects: Inflammatory bowel disease nurses. Main outcome measure: The diversity of IBD services. Results: Twelve Australian and 19 UK nurses returned completed questionnaires (approximately 40% response rate). Most participants were registered nurses, aged between 25 and 55 years. More UK participants were IBD specialist nurses (84% vs 42%; p = 0.019) and the majority of Australian nurses being clinical trial coordinators. The UK nurses had more interest in IBD (100% vs 75%; p = 0.049) and spent more time in IBD nursing (63% vs 25%; p = 0.043). Nurses in the UK provided more IBD services and tended to perceive a higher level of support from management (52% vs 25%; p = 0.12). Fewer IBD services were provided by Australian nurses despite their equivalent educational attainments, years of IBD experience and level of autonomous practice. Australian nurses identified the lack of funding, time and management support as barrier to service development. Australian nurses were less likely to be employed as dedicated IBD nurses and were required to provide nursing services to a wider clientele. Conclusion: In this study Australian IBD nurses had less specialised roles, attracted less funding and management support. Australian nurses were more focussed on clinical trial coordination and provided for a wider clientele.