Dartmouth’s RADIUS telemedicine program is using gastroenterology advanced practice providers (APPs) to extend specialized inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) care to rural patients across New England. The model connects patients with an IBD specialist and a multidisciplinary team that includes a psychologist, dietitian, pharmacist, and nurse coordinator, while APPs closer to home manage ongoing care. This reduces the need for patients to travel long distances for specialist consultations and advanced treatment decisions.
As of June 2026, the program had cared for nearly 500 patients, with more than 80% starting optimized or advanced therapies. The article highlights how APPs have developed IBD expertise through ongoing collaboration with Dartmouth specialists, allowing them to independently manage complex cases while seeking specialist input when needed. The model also helps address treatment gaps in rural communities, where patients may otherwise receive repeated courses of corticosteroids rather than advanced therapies.