Finding a Care Provider
How to find and partner with specialists experienced in Short Bowel Syndrome and intestinal failure
| How to Find → | Questions to Ask → | IRP Centers → |
Managing Short Bowel Syndrome (SBS) and intestinal failure requires a specialized, coordinated approach. Establishing a strong partnership with the right medical team is one of the most important steps in your care journey.
Finding a clinician with experience in intestinal rehabilitation may take targeted research. The guidance below can help.
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Find specialists Referrals, directories, and intestinal rehabilitation programs |
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Choose with care Insurance fit, experience, and trust after the first visit |
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Partner for the long term Teamwork, organized records, and clear communication |
Seek professional referrals
- Primary care physician — Ask for a referral to a gastroenterologist experienced with complex intestinal disease or intestinal rehabilitation.
- Hospital discharge / care coordination — After bowel surgery, inpatient teams often know regional intestinal failure programs.
Use trusted directories & networks
- SBSF Centers of Excellence directory — Intestinal rehabilitation programs listed by state.
- Gastroenterology associations — Board-certified GI directories (for example, AGA-related public listings).
- Peer communities — Patients and caregivers in moderated support groups often share practical experience finding specialized care.
Hospital referral lines usually recommend physicians affiliated with that hospital only. Local medical society lists may not identify clinicians with deep intestinal-failure experience. Always ask about SBS / IRP experience specifically.
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Insurance & cost
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Clinical experience
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After your first visit — quick checklist
| ☐ Did the clinician listen and allow enough time? |
| ☐ Was information explained in plain language? |
| ☐ Did they show respect for you, your family, and your preferences? |
| ☐ Did they ask targeted questions about your GI history and symptoms? |
| ☐ Do you feel a basic sense of confidence in the plan? |
Trust your instincts. Mutual trust takes time, but if a provider is not a good fit, you can seek a second opinion.
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What your team provides
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What you provide
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Be transparent Share symptoms, stool/ostomy patterns, and diet details — even when uncomfortable. Privacy rules protect that information. |
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Organize records Keep meds/doses, surgery notes, remaining bowel length if known, recent labs, and imaging in one binder or digital folder. |
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Maximize appointments Bring a written question list, recent symptoms log, and a support person when possible. |
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Between-visit communication Learn the clinic’s preferred contact method for labs, symptoms, and urgent concerns — and when to use urgent or emergency care. |
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Centers of Excellence |
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Intestinal Rehabilitation |
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Management of Care |
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Support groups |
This page is educational and is not a referral service or medical advice. SBSF does not endorse specific clinicians or hospitals. Care decisions belong with you and your healthcare team.