You and
Your Doctor:
A Dynamic Team
Partnering with your doctor is crucial to your treatment plan.
Your doctor and care team are there to help you manage your condition. And your relationship with them is essential to your treatment. It’s important to feel comfortable discussing your concerns so your team can be as helpful and supportive as possible.
You and Your Healthcare Team
Each member of your healthcare team has a valuable role to get you the care you need—including yourself. Being open and honest about your condition will help you advocate for your health to work towards your treatment goals. You can be prepared with materials, like a personal action plan, to help you and your care team.
Find out about a treatment option for moderate to severe ulcerative colitis and moderate to severe Crohn’s disease.
Your team may include the following people:
Gastroenterologist
A gastroenterologist is a doctor who specializes in diseases of the digestive system (who sometimes also specializes in inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD) and that leads the healthcare team, performs exams and tests, makes diagnoses, administers treatments, and prescribes medications.
How to Have a Constructive Conversation With Your Team
To help communicate clearly with your team and have more productive appointments, you can:
Doctors have lots of patients–you have to take all of this in your own hands. Nobody is going to be an advocate or push for you. You have to do that for yourself.
Helpful Healthcare Tips and Appointment Resources
Are you making the most of your visits?
Coming prepared and having open, honest conversations are ways to make doctor visits more productive.
Are you looking for a doctor?
Search for a doctor in your area who specializes in IBD.
Advice from a GI specialist
Learn about your condition, how to talk with your doctor, and how to meet treatment goals.
Helpful tools and support
Explore different tools and get support for managing your Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis (UC).
Want help describing your symptoms?
It's not always easy to talk about IBD symptoms. Here's a guide that can make it easier.
Make your personal action plan
Find out how much time your disease is impacting your life. Answer 5 quick questions to get 3 personalized, actionable steps.
