The Pulse | Tuesday, November 7, 2017

New Mobile App Launched for Young IBD Patients

SGNA Editor

The transition from pediatric to adult-centered healthcare is an important step in any adolescent’s life. For young patients living with IBD, finding the right healthcare provider as they start college, move somewhere new, or start a job can be stressful. For these reasons, among others, the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (NASPGHAN) Foundation, in collaboration with The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, have launched a new mobile app, Doc4Me, strategically created to assist adolescents in transitioning from pediatric to adult-centered care for IBD.

Doc4me helps adolescent patients find physicians in their area, as well as provide resources on what to know and do prior to their appointment with their new doctor. In addition, a checklist is provided to help attain the necessary skills during this transition. Doc4me also provides information about medications, nutrition and living with IBD.

Adult GI practitioners listed in the app represent all 50 states in the U.S. The compilation includes adult IBD doctors who were identified and recommended by NASPGHAN members, adult IBD doctors who self-identified themselves as providing care to transitioning youth with IBD, and adult IBD doctors “liked” by transitioning IBD patients. The compilation is ongoing and live which means that it will be added to and edited even after the launch of the app. 

This tool increases accessibility to better-informed care through a platform these adolescent patients are already accustomed to. Adult GI practitioners are encouraged to share news of this app with patients, families and colleagues. A patient-directed flier, office poster, and web banner ad are all available for download here. Doc4Me is available on both iOS and Android formats. For more information, visit www.doc4me-app.com.

Support for this program was provided by AbbVie, Inc. and Takeda Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc.