Table 2.

Themes and examples from focus groups of prioritized information needs for patients with IBD

Theme	Examples
Fears during COVID-19 pandemic	Exposure to COVID-19 when accessing healthcare
	Public restrooms
	Increased stress causing flares
	Medications impacting risks of COVID-19
	Access to COVID-19 vaccine
	Safety of COVID-19 vaccine
Challenges navigating the COVID-19 pandemic as someone living with IBD	Accessing medications, treatment delays
	Issues navigating bathroom access
	Uncertainty about whether someone with IBD is at high risk
	Accessing healthcare providers/medical care
	Needing to go to appointments alone
	Effects on family and friends trying to protect a high risk patient with IBD
	Concerns of others not taking the pandemic seriously and putting IBD patients at risk
	Exposure to COVID-19 in everyday life
Information preferences (trustworthy sources)	Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation
	Government organizations
	Patient communities/social media
	Own provider
	National Public Radio
	Patient testimonials
Research questions to prioritize	What are COVID-19 infection outcomes in patients with IBD?
	Do medications influence outcomes of COVID-19 infection in patients with IBD?
	Do medications influence the risk of developing COVID-19 in patients with IBD?
	Will COVID-19 infection make IBD symptoms worse?
	How will IBD patients respond to COVID-19 vaccination?

Abbreviation: IBD, inflammatory bowel disease.