Evaluación del Proyecto «No puc esperar! - ¡No puedo esperar!» de los pacientes con enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal en su primer año de implantación piloto en la ciudad de Girona

Abstract

Introduction

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) may present fecal urgency, which can affect consequently their daily life. Thus, the project “No puc esperar” [I can’t wait] aimed to provide those patients a quick and free access to toilets when needed by using an access card. One year after the 1st patient was included in the project in Girona, we evaluated the efficiency of this initiative through a personal interview survey.

Materials and methods

The personal interview survey was divided into three items; first the user perception of the project was assessed. Then the user perception of how public received the project was evaluated and finally the effectiveness of the card was determined.

Results

From January 2014 to January 2015 a total of 124 cards were issued. Out of which, 68 patients (54.8%) completed the personal interview form. Among those patients, 48% had Crohn's disease, 50% had ulcerative colitis, and 2% another type of pathology. The survey results indicate that 1 to 2 out of 10 patients in the year had to use the card monthly. The use of the card demonstrated a significant improvement in the quality of life of patients, achieving faster access to the toilets. It is noteworthy to notice that even patients that had the card but did not use it, declared to have gained an improvement in their quality of life, which may be explained by the fact that the simple idea of having the card confers them security and recognition for their disease.

Conclusion

The majority of the patients (100%) considered the project as either good or excellent, but pointed out that more establishments should participate to the project. That conclusion encourages us to further promote the project either locally or reaching more towns.