Exploring the needs of ostomy and ileoanal pouch patients

The journey of stoma and ileoanal pouch patients, following discharge, requires ongoing support as they accept their new elimination model and the loss of what is considered ‘normal evacuation’. Although a lot is done to support these patients, often patients' feedback reveals significant disparities in care across different areas of the country, as well as disparities between private and public care, with some significant gaps in healthcare support. Despite the complex physical and emotional adjustments these patients face, current systems provide professional care that may not always be sufficient for everyone's individual needs, and may even be limited, especially in the critical months following discharge. This leaves some patients reliant on non-clinical resources such as support groups and online forums. Although these sources can offer camaraderie, they may lack the medical and nursing experience required to address individual needs.

Although many patients may find the current established follow-up of an average of three or four stoma and pouch nurse reviews in the first 2 to 3 months following stoma formation sufficient, many patients report that they needed more support, especially in those crucial first few months. Furthermore, many patients also report that they would have preferred to be seen in the comfort of their homes more often, although, depending on where they live, they may be asked to attend community clinic venues instead.