Implementation of intestinal ultrasound in Canadian inflammatory bowel disease care: perspectives from a national expert roundtable

Abstract Intestinal ultrasound (IUS) is increasingly used as a point-of-care tool during routine follow-up care for the assessment and longitudinal monitoring of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Although its clinical advantages are well established, implementation across Canada remains uneven. Implementation in Canada has been shaped by variable training capacity, infrastructure, reimbursement, workflow, and provincial health-system organization. A virtual national roundtable of experts was convened to explore the practical role of IUS in contemporary Canadian IBD care, identify barriers to wider adoption, and define priorities for future implementation. The panel included adult and pediatric gastroenterologists from multiple Canadian provinces from diverse practice environments. The discussion was guided by 3 domains: clinical utility, barriers to implementation, and strategies for national expansion. IUS is positioned to become an increasingly important component of treat-to-target IBD care in Canada, but its equitable and sustainable adoption will require coordinated attention to training, quality, infrastructure, and health-system value.