Study identifies why women drop out therapy for stress urinary incontinence

A study published in this week's Continence Journal has reinforced the need for holistic assessment of women attending clinics for treatment of stress urinary incontinence.

The authors identified that nurses need to explore patients' expectations of treatment rather than rigidly following the care pathways.

Recommendations from the study include:

• a holistic nursing assessment including an section that identifies what the patient is looking for from the clinic; 

• patients who have previously failed therapy should be encouraged to discuss their options;

• this may deviate from the pathway;

• are pathways should only be used as a guide to care;

• the option of house calls or evening surgeries to improve access to services should be considered;

• patients who drop out of therapy should receive a standard letter advising them that they can telephone to discuss further options with a nurse.

Click here for the full article