Nurse-Led, Shared Medical Appointments for Common Gastrointestinal Conditions—Improving Outcomes Through Collaboration With Primary Care in the Medical Home: A Prospective Observational Study

BACKGROUND: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are common gastrointestinal disorders accounting for a significant demand for specialty care. The aim of this study was to evaluate safety, access and outcomes of patients assessed by a nurse-led, shared medical appointment. METHODS: This prospective observational study utilized a sample of 770 patients referred to a gastroenterology Central Access and Triage for routine GERD, dyspepsia or IBS from 2011 to 2014. Patient demographics, clinical indication, frequency and outcomes of endoscopy, quality of life, wait times and long-term outcomes (>2 years) were compared between 411 patients assigned to a nurse-led, shared medical appointment and 359 patients assigned to clinic for a gastroenterology physician consultation. RESULTS: The nurse-led, shared medical appointment pathway compared with usual care pathway had shorter median wait times (12.6 weeks versus 137.1 weeks, P < 0.0001), fewer endoscopic exams (50.9% versus 76.3%, P < 0.0001), less gastroenterology re-referrals (4.6% versus 15.6%, P < 0.0001), and reduced visits to the emergency department (6.1% versus 12.0%, P = 0.004). After two years of follow-up, outcomes were no different between the pathways. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with GERD, IBS or dyspepsia who attend the nurse-led, shared medical appointment have improved access to care and reduced resource utilization without increased risk of significant gastrointestinal outcomes after two years of follow-up.