Innovating IBD Treatment Using Behavioral Health Tactics

The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Specialty Medical Home (SMH) model is redefining care for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and behavioral health conditions by delivering integrated, patient-centered, team-based support.1 The approach addresses the physical and psychological complexity of IBD through coordinated care that includes medical, nutritional, and behavioral health services.

At the heart of this initiative is the UPMC Center for High-Value Health Care, which served as the primary recipient of a Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) grant (IHS-2017C3-8930) to lead and implement this innovative care model.

Eva Svigethy, MD, PhD, a child and adult psychiatrist specializing in gastropsychiatry, served as the clinical lead within the UPMC IBD Medical Home. She emphasized that integrating behavioral health care reduces stigma, promotes patient engagement, and empowers individuals to become active participants in managing their chronic illness.

Benjamin Cohen, MD, co-section head and clinical director for IBD at the Cleveland Clinic, participated as a co-investigator in the PCORI-funded study. He pointed to the growing complexity of IBD treatments and reduced access to gastroenterology visits as clear drivers for adopting a multidisciplinary SMH model. This model improves care continuity, facilitates shared decision-making, and enhances quality of life by addressing the interplay between brain and gut health.

Reference

1. Specialty medical homes to improve outcomes for patients with inflammatory bowel disease and behavioral health conditions. UPMC. February 1, 2019. Accessed May 23, 2025. https://www.upmchighvaluehealthcare.com/our-work/research-evaluation-and-stakeholder-engagement/specialty-medical-homes-to-improve-outcomes-for-patients-with-inflammatory-bowel-disease-and-behavioral-health-conditions/