An exploration of the follow-up up needs of patients with inflammatory bowel disease

The main finding was that patients prefer a more flexible follow-up care system. 'Virtual' care as an adjunct to patient-initiated consultations and self-management, was identified as optimal approaches to meet the patients' needs of follow-up care. New models of follow-up care could improve the patients' experience of care, offer potential cost savings with reduction in face-to-face consultations and allow targeted care to those who need it.