Understanding irritable bowel syndrome care: Co-create with patients and providers for diagnostic and management innovations

Table 3 Quote related to the management process of irritable bowel syndrome

No.	Quote	Participant
10	Most people have a clear idea of what triggers their symptoms, and in some cases it’s quite extreme when they have decided on their own to eliminate gluten and lactose, which restricts their diet significantly	Female FP (34 years)
11	Well, that was basically it (red: Prescribed fiber sachets). When that didn’t work, it was more like, ‘This is what we can do, and that’s it.’ So, with my background as a dietitian, I found that a bit of an unsatisfying answer, which led me to start experimenting and researching on my own. But at that time, I didn’t get much help from my FP	Female patient and dietitian (33 years)
12	Well, I went to the doctor a few times because my intestines were often inflamed. To be honest, the doctor never really did anything specific about it. So, no, I never really received treatment, because nobody offered. I’m not even sure if there is a treatment. I was never provided with any guidance, so I’ve basically just managed it on my own since then	Female patient (24 years)
13	No, you basically have to figure it out yourself. Back then, they’d just say, ‘Well, you have this, but it’s nothing serious, figure it out on your own.’ That was 30 years ago. Now I’ve learned, for example, that eating bell peppers doesn’t sit well with me, so I try to avoid them. And if they’re in my food, I just push them to the side of my plate and pick them out	Male patient (55 years)
14	The low-FODMAP diet really did help me realize that I couldn’t tolerate certain things. But once you’re back in a more normal phase, symptoms always come back	Female patient (30 years)
15	It’s not that you’re completely put under hypnosis, but rather that you’re guided to visualize how to relax your own body. That’s the main focus, and it’s a really nice approach. But of course, everything takes time and money, and it’s not 100% effective	Pediatrician (60 years)
16	I find it hard to say what they should do differently, but I’ve been seeing doctors for years about stomach issues. They shouldn’t downplay it, and if I want a referral to a gastroenterologist, I should be able to get one	Female patient (22 years)
17	A big challenge is that people still associate hypnosis with showmen such as Rasti Rostelli, so you end up having to explain what it isn’t before explaining what it is. But overall, we’ve already made huge progress in pediatric care	Female pediatrician (60 years)
18	Sometimes I can manage to eat a little piece of apple, but I shouldn’t eat a whole apple. You know what I mean? So, I’m not sure if a distinction can be made there as well	Female patient (30 years)

FP: Family physician; FODMAP: Fermentable oligosaccharides disaccharides monosaccharides and polyols.