An adapted health system inequity framework for avoidable inflammatory bowel disease admissions: A scoping review

BackgroundInequalities in healthcare may be driving unplanned and potentially avoidable hospital admissions for people diagnosed with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Interventions to reduce unplanned and potentially avoidable admissions need to be developed based on a clear conceptual framework. This scoping review aimed to synthesise the health system components for reducing unplanned IBD admissions to develop a conceptual framework to guide future interventions for reducing unplanned admissions. MethodsA scoping review was conducted to identify literature exploring factors associated with unplanned IBD admissions and interventions to reduce IBD admissions. Literature published between January 2000 and October 2024 was identified from four electronic databases (Medline, Embase, CINAHL and Pubmed). A narrative synthesis presented the findings, guided by Candidacy Framework, to understand issues in healthcare access. Results and conclusionsOf 1980 records identified, 17 were included. Avoidable IBD admissions result from inequity across the patient journey through healthcare specifically in access to: (1) earlier intervention during a flare, (2) specialist clinical advice about symptoms and psychosocial issues, (3) rapid access to outpatient care, (4) patient education, (5) systems that support self-management, (6) proactive care strategies, and (7) collaborative health professional working and referrals. Addressing service permeability (ease of using services) and local production of candidacy (patient-provider relationships and macro-structural conditions) are understood as most important for addressing avoidable unplanned IBD admissions. The Health System Inequity Framework is useful for understanding how services need to address patient care. Brief summarySome unplanned and potentially avoidable hospital admissions in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) may be avoided through improved access, experience, and outcomes of healthcare. This scoping review developed a framework outlining how avoidable IBD admissions could be reduced by healthcare service interventions, informing healthcare providers and commissioners of potential interventions. Key messagesO_ST_ABSWhat is already known?C_ST_ABSSome unplanned hospital admissions for people with inflammatory bowel disease could be avoided through reducing the existing disparities in healthcare access, experience and outcomes. What is new here?This review is the first to synthesise the current evidence on avoidable IBD admissions, producing a health system inequity framework outlining possible healthcare interventions for reducing avoidable unplanned IBD admissions. How can this study help patient care?The new health system inequity framework can inform healthcare providers and commissioners of IBD services of the possible interventions for reducing avoidable IBD admissions, therefore improving patient care.