IBD patients should share concerns with physicians, UCI Health expert urges
Openness essential in relationship that could last for decades
IN THE NEWS: A new study shows that those with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) still have serious concerns about their condition despite treatment advances.
Dr. Robert Fearn, a gastroenterologist with the UCI Health Chao Digestive Health Institute, says that while physicians recognize that patients have concerns about their Crohn’s disease or colitis, doctors can’t help if they aren’t made aware of them. He spoke with HealthCentral about how discussing worries helps build trust between the patient and doctor. He was not involved with the study.
“There must be trust at the center of the patient-doctor relationship. It’s a relationship that may continue for years. Decades even. We can’t build that trust if we don’t understand the concerns of our patients.”
Fearn is an assistant professor at the UC Irvine School of Medicine's Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology. He is also affiliated with the new sports nutrition program, housed at the UCI Health Chao Digestive Health Institute. There, a team of physicians and registered dietitians partner with patients to balance the microbiome and nutritiously fuel the body to maximize athletic performance.
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UCI Health, one of California’s largest academic health systems, is the clinical enterprise of the University of California, Irvine. The 1,317-bed system comprises its main campus UCI Medical Center, its flagship hospital in Orange, Calif., the UCI Health — Irvine medical campus, four hospitals and affiliated physicians of the UCI Health Community Network in Orange and Los Angeles counties and a network of ambulatory care centers across the region. UCI Medical Center provides tertiary and quaternary care and is home to the only Orange County-based National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center, high-risk perinatal/neonatal program and American College of Surgeons-verified Level I adult and Level II pediatric trauma center, gold level 1 geriatric emergency department and regional burn center. Powered by UC Irvine, UCI Health serves 5.6 million people in Orange County, western Riverside County and southeast Los Angeles County. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter).