Acceptability of Identifying and Managing Psychological Distress in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: the COMPASS-IBD Study

Acceptability of Identifying and Managing Psychological Distress in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: the COMPASS-IBD Study

This study is a single-centre, interventional implementation and feasibility study.

Patients in the IBD service will be able to access COMPASS, an online cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) programme, as part of standard care at Guy's and St Thomas's NHS Foundation Trust.

COMPASS is an online program. It will consist of 11 online modules which target challenges associated with living with IBD (and other long-term conditions) and includes, amongst other things, psycho-education, patient examples, interactive tasks and goal setting. Participants are linked to a therapist; 'guide', who will provide 5-6 x 30 minute support sessions delivered fortnightly in the format preferred by the client (phone and/or in-site message).

PATIENT PARTICIPANTS

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Aged 18 or over
2. Have an IBD diagnosis
3. Have English proficiency
4. Have access to a computer
5. Have mild to moderate symptoms of depression and/or anxiety (PHQ-9 score 5-19 and/or GAD-7 score 5-14, or PHQ-ADS score 10-29) or severe depression and/or anxiety (PHQ-9 score≥20 and/or GAD-7 score ≥15, or PHQ-ADS score ≥30 but no acute suicidal risk) and awaiting treatment from clinical psychologist as specified above.
6. Have evidence of illness-related distress

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Evidence of substance dependency, cognitive impairment, severe mental health conditions
2. Evidence of acute suicidal risk PHQ-9 item-9 >1 and recent serious suicidal intent and/or planning
3. Are receiving current psychological treatment or are on a wait-list to receive treatment within the study period (next 6 months)
4. Have depression and/or anxiety unrelated to IBD (e.g. where disease long-standing/well-controlled unrelated to current presentation of distress)

HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL PARTICIPANTS

1. Work in the Gastroenterology IBD service at Guy's and St Thomas' Hospitals NHS Trust (GSTT).
2. Have experience of either: i) Utilising the routine mental health screening tools ii) Assessing and triaging patients onto the COMPASS programme and/or iii) Providing therapist support to the users of COMPASS.