Includes References and Index

Since the 1990s, nurses specialising in IBD have increased not only in numbers but also in the scope of the role all over the world. They are now considered a key part of an effective and functional inflammatory bowel disease
(IBD) care team. Although there are variations between countries, core
knowledge and skills must continue to move forward to ensure that all patients
with IBD get consistent, high-quality care. Our aim for this nurse manual is
that IBD nurses, wherever they practice and at whatever level, are challenged
to achieve greater expertise and self-assurance.
We hope to have made this easy-to-read manual relevant everywhere by
involving experts from around the globe, often in joint authorship, who reflect
their own background and knowledge. Indeed, this book relies heavily on a
multidisciplinary approach, a principle argued to be the best in managing
complex and debilitating conditions. This type of shared care enables all
members of the team to competently support people living with IBD. More
importantly, this book strives to cross professional boundaries and aim for a
common base of knowledge for all those working in the field. Once this multidisciplinary approach is applied universally, the standard of IBD care will
improve.
The book content covers all aspects of IBD management: causes, diagnosis, assessment, monitoring, disease management, complications and comorbidities, lifestyle issues such as transition, research and, last but not least, the
practicalities of IBD nursing services. Specifically, the aim of this IBD nurse
manual is to help caregivers provide timely, responsive and expert care, which
are things that are consistently reported to be important to IBD patients.
Indeed, those living with IBD have often contributed the loudest voice in the
call for more IBD nurses to be trained and integrated within IBD care teams.
To the IBD nurse opening these pages, we commend your dedication and
passion. We hope this book supplies a comprehensive and easily understood
knowledge base, sound principles for practice and even some inspirational
ideas to match your commitment. With these things you can look forward to
a future as a confident member of the multidisciplinary team able to tackle the
individual problems facing the IBD patient with enthusiasm.