Dr. Laurie Keefer, PhD, a practicing physician and researcher in gastroenterology, teaches resilience to her patients. She discusses the 5 key areas of focus: accepting the disease, learned optimism, self-regulatory skills, self-confidence in managing the disease, and social support. She emphasizes the importance of social support and connecting patients with similar conditions to mitigate the trauma of disease. Resilience training and a touching patient story are also shared.
A model for building resilience in patients with chronic digestive diseases focuses on acceptance, optimism, self-regulation, self-confidence, and social support.
Social support plays a crucial role in helping patients with inflammatory bowel diseases cope and build resilience, buffering the impact of stress and benefiting their well-being.
Deep dives
Resilience Building Model for Patients with Chronic Digestive Diseases
Dr. Laurie Kiefer and her team at Mount Sinai's Division of Gastroenterology have developed a model for building resilience in patients with chronic digestive diseases, such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. The model focuses on five resilience targets: acceptance of the disease, learned optimism, self-regulatory skills, self-confidence in disease management, and social support. By developing these skills, patients are better equipped to cope with the challenges of their condition and thrive despite its impact.
The Impact of IBD and Approaching the Diagnosis
Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, can have a significant impact on the lives of patients, particularly young adults and children. The diagnosis of IBD often occurs during the late teens or early adulthood, presenting patients with an opportunity to build resilience. Dr. Kiefer approaches the diagnosis by breaking down the demands into manageable steps, fostering optimism, and using humor to address the stigma associated with gastrointestinal conditions.
The Role of Social Support and Resilience in IBD
Social support plays a crucial role in helping patients with IBD cope with their condition. The Mount Sinai IBD Center emphasizes the importance of social support in resilience-building interventions. Patients are encouraged to find their 'tamarins' - people in their social network who provide understanding and support. Studies show that social support can buffer the impact of stress on the body, greatly benefiting patients' well-being and resilience.
Laurie Keefer, PhD, is the Director of Psychobehavioral Research within Mount Sinai's Division of Gastroenterology. As a practicing physician and researcher, Dr. Keefer studies and treats diseases of the gut. On this episode of Road to Resilience, Dr. Keefer explains the process of teaching resilience to her patients, a disproportionate number of whom are children and adolescents. The process consists of 5 key areas on which she and her colleagues focus, which can be adapted for any patient or everyday person.
Visit https://www.mountsinai.org/clinical-trials to see if you're eligible to enroll in a clinical trial with the Mount Sinai Health System.
Check out more episodes of Road to Resilience —as well as guest pictures, transcripts, and more— on the Mount Sinai website.
Road to Resilience brings you stories and insights to help you thrive in a challenging world. From fighting burnout and trauma to building resilient families, we explore what’s possible when science meets the human spirit.
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