Novel approaches in the outpatient care of patients with chronic inflammatory bowel disease.

Treatment strategies for Crohn's disease are targeted toward lifelong management. Optimization of outpatient care is mandatory, because of many clinics facing capacity issues, and, along with routine follow-up of patients with inflammatory bowel disease, is putting increasing pressure on outpatient clinics. Recent studies demonstrate clearly that alternative management strategies are feasible and effective with a high rate of patient satisfaction. It is recommended that future research evaluates the way in which medical care is provided and explores the long-term effects of novel management strategies in IBD. This approach can then be extrapolated to other chronic conditions.