Table 1 Questionnaire and item list used for focus group interviews

Experiences with current IBS care

Describe your experience with the care for IBS patients

In particular for care around the time of your IBS diagnosis, how did you experience care (1) before; (2) during and (3) after IBS diagnosis; which aspects were taken good care of and which aspects could deserve improvement?

When looking back at the time period before your IBS diagnosis, which were your biggest frustrations, which elements did you miss the most?

What are your feelings about healthcare givers during the time period of your IBS diagnosis? From whom did you get advices, were these helpful and why?

Expectations for future IBS care

Describe your ideal care for future IBS patients

How do you feel about centers of expertise for IBS care?

Which standards of care are needed for these IBS centers of expertise?

Which type of healthcare givers would you like to be involved in IBS centers of expertise?

What should these IBS centers of expertise look like?

Which items are essential for such centers; what should be taken into account?

Specific items for open discussions

Diagnostic elements that should be performed to confirm diagnosis of IBS

Collaboration between general practitioner and medical specialist

Collaboration between healthcare givers: physicians, nurses, dieticians, psychotherapists, others

Different treatment options for IBS

Location of IBS care and IBS centers of expertise

Availability and findability of IBS care and IBS centers of expertise

Type of information available (online, pamphlet) and modus of intervention (face-to-face contact, web-based, telephone based)

Information for patients