Focus Group

In October 2007 IFFGD, working with the Rome Foundation , conducted three focus groups to help better understand the personal impact of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). A total of 16 persons with an IBS diagnosis participated.

The groups met in Milwaukee and were moderated by Douglas A. Drossman, MD and Lin Chang, MD, both well known for their work in treating and studying IBS. The participants each described multiple symptoms that ranged from moderate to severe.

Their candor and lively discussion will help in making sure that the patient perspective is accurately represented in clinical research. This will benefit not only those involved with studying and developing treatments for IBS, but also those patients who ultimately will benefit from treatments.

For the participants, planning and traveling with this painful and unpredictable condition was challenging. On behalf of IFFGD and the IBS community that we are committed to supporting, our heartfelt thanks go out to each of those who took part in the focus groups.