In December 2010 EFCCA launched the Europe wide IMPACT survey which provides a unique and exciting opportunity to discover the true IMPACT of IBD not only on quality of life, but also on the social, educational, employment, and holistic aspects of IBD, on a European level.

Go to IMPACT website

The survey, which is still open until 1 August 2011, is available online in 8 European languages including English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Dutch, Swedish and Slovenian.

The specific aims of the survey are to discover:

·      The effects of IBD on a wide range of aspects of people’s lifestyles

·      Whether these aspects are included in consultations with healthcare professionals

·      The extent of access that people with IBD have to healthcare and support facilities in various  countries from the perspective and perceptions of the patient

·      understanding perceptions of the quality of Health Care provide

·      generally understanding the differences that exist between countries, age groups, genders and different types of IBD

·      to provide EFFCA and national patient associations important new evidence to gain attention on the needs of IBD patients and to drive for better resource commitments from official policy bodies, including WHO.

Most noteworthy so far have been responses to the question of the amount of lost working days due to IBD.  27% of IBD sufferers have taken more than 25 days’ sick leave in the past year and over 66 % felt that their IBD has had a negative affect on their career, opportunities for advancement, or earning/income potential while 48% claimed to have lost a job, or had to quit a job because of their IBD.

On the subject of “the effect of IBD on Intimate Relationships”, 1 in 3 respondents, claim that their IBD has prevented them pursuing intimate relationships and 22% claim it has been the cause for ending an intimate relationship. 

The survey is still open and we encourage everyone to participate in collecting valuable data to help the community of people with IBD across Europe. The survey is completely anonymous. To access the survey please follow this link:

http://www.surveysolutions.co.uk/sc/form.aspx?id=eleoct&lang=1

EFCCA would like to thank those who have already participated in the survey and appreciates your commitment to help raise the understanding of IBD across society, and to effect positive change in the care of people with IBD.

The IMPACT project has been supported by an educational grant from Abbott.