The Challenges Faced by Patients with Crohn’s and Colitis: Disruptions to Active Lifestyles, Delays in Diagnosis and Treatment, and the Importance of Quality Care for Chronic Illnesses

Crohn’s disease and colitis can be debilitating chronic illnesses that disrupt an individual’s active lifestyle. For Raziel Hadad, a 22-year-old diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, the sudden onset of severe symptoms and stomach pains made it challenging to maintain his usual routine. His search for a gastroenterologist was hampered by a shortage of doctors in his area, leading to delays in diagnosis and treatment. Even after diagnosis, he faced challenges in accessing care, including long wait times for appointments and a lack of psychological support.

Oraine Yaffe, a 26-year-old from Acre, also experienced delays in diagnosis and treatment for colitis. She had to seek care from a private doctor due to difficulties in accessing appropriate treatment in the public healthcare system. Yaffe highlights the importance of timely and comprehensive care for patients with chronic illnesses, emphasizing the impact on quality of life and mental health.

Dr. Saleh Daher, a gastroenterologist, explains the challenges faced by patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), such as Crohn’s and colitis. He emphasizes the need for multidisciplinary care teams and dedicated units for these conditions. Recent studies have shown an increase in the number of patients with these diseases in Israel, underscoring the importance of providing timely and effective treatment.

The lack of dedicated units for IBD in public hospitals, disparities in care between different regions, and limited access to mental health support are highlighted as key areas for improvement. Recommendations have been made to improve the quality of care for patients with IBD, including the establishment of dedicated units, coordination of care, and increased availability of psychological support.

Barzilai Hospital and Emek Medical Center have responded to efforts to improve care for patients with IBD by addressing some of these challenges but still face obstacles such as recruiting specialist doctors, providing comprehensive care