ABSTRACT Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) requires a multidisciplinary approach due to its complexity. Nurses play a key role in disease management, patient education, and care coordination. This study describes the role of nurses in an IBD Center of Excellence in Colombia, focusing on five pillars: clinical care, research, quality of life (including fatigue and mental health assessment), empowerment, and multidisciplinary support. Methods: Descriptive observational study conducted between 2023 and 2024, using semi-structured interviews, direct observations, and surveys with the nursing team. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. Measures were taken to minimize observer and interviewer bias. Results: A total of 90 IBD patients were evaluated (56.6% female; mean age 40.8 years). Nurses played a central role in patient education, phenotyping, follow-up, and performing intestinal ultrasound. The IBDQ-32 questionnaire revealed moderate impact on quality of life, and the IBD-F scale identified fatigue in a subset of patients despite clinical remission. Patient satisfaction remained above 98% in both years. Nurses also coordinated pediatric-to-adult transitions, organized multidisciplinary meetings, and contributed to 41 research posters, some of which received international recognition. Conclusion: Nurses are essential in IBD management, contributing to clinical care, education, quality of life assessment, research, and patient empowerment. Their involvement enhances outcomes, satisfaction, and the efficiency of multidisciplinary teams. Expanding standardized nurse training in Latin America is vital to strengthen IBD care.
ORDUZ-DÍAZ et al. (Thu,) studied this question.