BackgroundIrritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic and relapsing gastrointestinal condition which negatively impacts quality of life. Dietary triggers are common and dietary management is central to the IBS treatment pathway with dietitians being the main education providers for patients. ObjectiveTo explore dietitians’ perspectives on current practices and services in relation to IBS management in clinical settings across the United Kingdom (UK). DesignQualitative semi-structured interviews were undertaken from May to October 2021 via videoconferencing software. Eligible participants were dietitians specialising in gastroenterology and working in National Health Service (NHS) Trusts in the UK. Interviews were audiorecorded and transcribed following intelligent transcription. Template analysis guided by Naïve Realism and its underlying epistemological assumptions was used. Participants/settingDietitians (n=13) working in various NHS Trusts across the UK with at least one year of clinical experience in IBS management. Qualitative data analysisTemplate analysis, a form of thematic analysis with hierarchical coding, was used to explore dietitians’ perspectives of IBS practices. ResultsParticipating dietitians were mostly female (92.3%), of White ethnicity (84.6%), working in various NHS Trusts across the UK and had more than five years of clinical experience (69.2%). Three main themes emerged 1) Dietetic services as part of IBS referral pathways; 2) Practices in relation to dietetic services; and 3) Patients’ expectations and feelings. Each main theme had subthemes to facilitate the description and interpretation of data. The increasing number of IBS referrals to dietitians and the need for accurate and timely IBS diagnosis and specialist dietitians was reported, alongside the use of digital innovation to facilitate practice and access to dietetic care. The use of internet as a source of (mis)information by patients and the limited time available for educating patients were identified as potential barriers to dietetic practice. Dietitians follow a patient-centred approach to dietary counselling and recognise the negative implications of perceived IBS-related stigma by patients on their feelings and treatment expectations. ConclusionsThe study identified areas and practices which can facilitate access to dietetic services and patient-centred care in IBS management as outlined in UK-based guidelines.