Abstract Background The higher education sector plays an integral role in ensuring that healthcare professionals possess the knowledge, skills, and competencies needed to deliver high-quality, evidence-based care. However, there is a lack of academically accredited higher-education programmes specifically designed to educate healthcare professionals in the principles of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) care. The aim of this initiative was to design, deliver, and evaluate an accredited educational programme in IBD. Methods The programme was developed in collaboration with IBD subject-matter experts through stakeholder consultations to obtain strategic input on structure and content. A Certificate in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Care was validated by Munster Technological University in 2021, and the first cohort commenced in January 2022. This fully online, 10-credit (ECTS - European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) postgraduate programme runs over 12 weeks each academic year. Student profiles are collected at programme commencement, and a final evaluation is completed in week 12. Results To date, 79 healthcare professionals have graduated from the programme. Content analysis of evaluation data indicates that graduates found the programme practice-focused and reported improved understanding of evidence-based IBD care. Modifications are made for each cohort based on student feedback and consultation with subject-matter experts to ensure the programme remains current and relevant. Conclusion Given the global need for more healthcare professionals with specialised training in IBD, this initiative offers valuable insights into the co-design, delivery, and evaluation of academically accredited educational programmes in this field. Conflict of interest: Farrell, Dawn: No conflict of interest Sugrue, Kathleen: No conflict of interest Keogh, Aine M.: No conflict of interest
Farrell et al. (Thu,) studied this question.