Communication Between Older Adults and Their Physicians About Urinary Incontinence

Abstract

Despite the publication of guidelines on improving the screening and management of UI, the problem remains common and underdetected in older adults. Physicians don't ask and patients don't tell. Interventions are needed to remind physicians to screen high risk patients and to encourage patients with UI to communicate with their physicians.

The greatest taboo: urinary incontinence as a source of shame and embarrassment

“…Temml et al showed that only 5.1% of incontinent women and 16.1% of incontinent men were seeking medical help for this condition [14]. Similarly low percentages were found in other studies [15,16]. Th e reason for the discrepancy between the availability of adequate treatment and the low percentage of people seeking help probably lies in the lack of knowledge about UI which are still widespread, as shown in our study.…”

An evaluation of three community-based projects to improve care for incontinence

“…A major problem in the management of urinary incontinence is the under-reporting of cases, with only around one-third of people reporting the problem to their doctor [2]. Therefore, a primary aim of the Continence Management Strategy is to increase the numbers of people seeking treatment.…”

Gender Differences in Healthcare-Seeking Behavior for Urinary Incontinence and the Impact of Socioeconomic Status

“…1 However, a large percent of incontinent elders do not seek professional advice or treatment, 4 -7 because of misconceptions that UI is a normal consequence of aging or childbirth, embarrassment about urine leakage, or fear of needing an operation. [5][6][7][8][9][10] There are gender differences in the etiology, prevalence, and management of UI. For example, anatomic changes in the pelvic organs due to childbearing, gynecologic procedures and postmenopausal hormonal changes are important in female incontinence, whereas prostate disease contributes to incontinence in elderly men.…”