Crohn's & Colitis Foundation's Advanced Practice Provider Preceptorship in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Addressing the Knowledge Gap.

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) management has become increasingly complex and specialized education for advanced practice providers (APPs) is limited. The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation's Advanced Practice Provider Preceptorship was developed to educate IBD APPs to minimize this knowledge gap.

Method: APP applicants were chosen based on their limited IBD knowledge and experience. Accepted applicants spent 3 days in an IBD center observing and learning. Pre- and post-surveys evaluated satisfaction, increase in knowledge, and confidence to manage IBD. A 3-month survey assessed mentorship and changes in practice.

Results: Data measurement assessed satisfaction, knowledge, and confidence. The program grew from one participant in 2017 to 15 participants in 2023, with the maximum number of participants at 16 in 2021. From 2018 to 2023, knowledge and confidence from pre- to post-program improved. From 2018 to 2022, more than 75% of participants reported feeling "well-versed" to "extremely well-versed" in IBD knowledge after completion of the program. From 2019 to 2023, greater than 90% of participants reported feeling "moderately to very confident" or "completely confident" post-program.

Conclusions: The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation's APP Preceptorship, a program for APPs with limited IBD knowledge and experience, is associated with program satisfaction and improved knowledge and confidence in treating IBD. Unexpected outcomes include changes in individual practices and ongoing mentorship. Continuation of this program will further enhance the IBD education of future APPs.