{
  "abstract": "Introduction Gut-directed hypnotherapy (GDH) is an established treatment recommended in NICE and BSG guidelines for refractory irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). GDH can be delivered by trained healthcare professionals using validated protocols. Despite considerable evidence-base and national guidelines, access to GDH in the UK is unknown. We surveyed access to GDH, perceived benefit and barriers to delivering GDH amongst UK healthcare professionals with an interest in IBS.Methods A 15-item electronic survey questionnaire was developed by a multidisciplinary panel (including gastroenterologists, nurse specialists, dieticians, psychiatry and primary care) with experience in GDH assembled by the British Society of Clinical and Academic Hypnosis (BSCAH). The survey included questions on estimated IBS clinic workload, access to GDH for patients that meet national guidelines criteria, perceived benefit, potential demand and barriers to delivering GDH. The survey was circulated to relevant sections of the BSG membership electronically.Results 47 responses (32% gastroenterologists, 68% other healthcare professionals including specialist nurses, dieticians and GI physiologists) were received. Participants represented at least 36 different healthcare organisations across England (responses from Northwest, Northeast, East and West Midlands, London, East Anglia and Southwest), Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Most respondents were experienced in managing IBS (78% reported > 4 years’ experience). IBS was estimated to account for a mean 36.1% of the general gastroenterology clinic workload across participants’ institutions. 76% of responders considered GDH to be a cost-effective treatment for IBS. Almost all respondents (≥95%) indicated that GDH improves self-efficacy in managing IBS, quality-of-life, stress and anxiety levels and GI symptoms. Despite 63% reporting that >25% of their overall IBS caseload meet the NICE and BSG referral criteria for GDH for refractory IBS, only 5% of respondents have access to GDH. Of those with no access, 31% have had to make external GDH referrals, and 97% are interested in setting up GDH in their centre. The main barriers to setting up GDH services are the lack of expertise, training and support (47%) and lack of funding and infrastructure (44%).Conclusions Despite IBS accounting for over a third of the clinical workload, this survey representing 36 healthcare organisations across all geographic regions in the UK suggests that most healthcare professionals do not have access to GDH for patients that fulfil NICE and BSG referral criteria. The data highlight an urgent need for investment in the training of healthcare professionals to deliver GDH with great potential to reduce the burden and exorbitant costs of refractory IBS in the NHS.",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom"
      ],
      "name": "Syed Shariq Hasan"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "British Society of Clinical and Academic Hypnosis, United Kingdom"
      ],
      "name": "Jane Boissiere"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "British Society of Clinical and Academic Hypnosis, United Kingdom"
      ],
      "name": "Gillian Smith"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "British Society of Clinical and Academic Hypnosis, United Kingdom"
      ],
      "name": "Jean Rogerson"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "British Society of Clinical and Academic Hypnosis, United Kingdom"
      ],
      "name": "Kathryn Kinmond"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "British Society of Clinical and Academic Hypnosis, United Kingdom"
      ],
      "name": "Hilary Walker"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "University College London Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom"
      ],
      "name": "Chris Perrin"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "University College London Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom"
      ],
      "name": "Concetta Brugaletta"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust, United Kingdom"
      ],
      "name": "Liane Reeves"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Royal United Hospitals Bath, United Kingdom"
      ],
      "name": "Hannah Coleman"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "York and Scarbrough teaching hospital, United Kingdom"
      ],
      "name": "Joanne Collinson"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "York and Scarbrough teaching hospital, United Kingdom"
      ],
      "name": "Tracey Foy"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom"
      ],
      "name": "Peter Whorwell"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom"
      ],
      "name": "Dipesh Vasant"
    }
  ],
  "title": "FP49 Hypnotherapy for IBS in the UK – survey of access, perceived benefit and barriers to provision amongst interested healthcare professionals",
  "uid": "52d53f9e-69c2-5c55-ad16-5fbcb48ac936"
}