Implementation Science in Gastrointestinal Health
Implementation Science in Gastrointestinal Health
The Presseau Group is applying implementation science to improve clinical care and quality of life for individuals living with gastrointestinal (GI) conditions, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This program of work is co-led by Dr. Justin Presseau and Dr. Jenny Olson, with research coordination by Chloé Desjardins and clinical research assistance by Ashutosh (Ash) Upreti.
Our implementation research relevant to GI conditions includes projects undertaken independently and through our leadership of implementation science activities for the
IMAGINE Network — a national chronic disease network funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research (SPOR) initiative.
Examples of Our Current Work
Sustaining Engagement with Digital Health Tools (IMAGINE Network)
We are applying behavioural and implementation science to identify barriers and enablers to sustained engagement with digital health tools among adults living with IBD and IBS. Findings are informing the co-development of strategies to support engagement with digital interventions where ongoing use is important for therapeutic benefit.
Read the study protocol published in BMJ Open.
Integrating Psychosocial Support into IBD Care (IMAGINE Network)
We are collaborating with individuals living with IBD and healthcare providers to define the types of psychosocial support needed to navigate food-related experiences, and to explore how this support can be feasibly integrated into clinical practice within existing system constraints.
Example of Our Previous Work
Understanding Barriers and Enablers of Treatment Fidelity
In partnership with our colleagues at CHEO, we conducted a qualitative evaluation alongside pilot trials of a food-based adjuvant therapy for pediatric IBD. Findings provided insights into the challenges participants faced when integrating trial activities into daily life and are informing strategies for future trial optimization and clinical implementation.
Read the study findings published in PLOS ONE.
The protocol for this work is available
in Pilot and Feasibility Studies.
Watch a short video summary of our findings here.
Alt Text: Short video summarizing findings from a qualitative evaluation of barriers and enablers to treatment fidelity during pilot clinical trials of a novel resistant starch therapy for pediatric inflammatory bowel disease.
Knowledge Mobilization
Our team actively shares our findings to support real-world change. For example, Dr. Jenny Olson will be presenting on the utility of implementation and behavioural science for improving the use and implementation of digital tools for IBD and IBS care at the 2025 NorthWest SPOR Collaborative Forum in Calgary. This panel will explore challenges and opportunities for scaling digital tools for chronic disease management across diverse care settings.
Our Approach
Our GI-focused implementation science research is grounded in an integrated knowledge translation (iKT) approach, emphasizing meaningful engagement of people with lived experience, healthcare providers, and research partners. We apply behavioural and implementation science frameworks — including Personal Projects Analysis, the COM-B model, and the Theoretical Domains Framework — to identify, design, and test strategies that advance equitable, sustainable healthcare improvements.
By centring lived experience and implementation science, our work seeks to close gaps between evidence and practice, improve care, and support the wellbeing of people living with IBD and IBS.
