Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Physiotherapists Regarding the Management of Urinary Incontinence in Elderly Patients in France: A Cross-Sectional Study

IF 1.5 4区医学 Q3 UROLOGY & NEPHROLOGY

LUTS: Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Pub Date : 2025-07-22 DOI:10.1111/luts.70022

Julie Swiderski, Joëlle Lansonneur Leterme, Fréderic Bloch, François-Régis Sarhan

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Context

Studies on nurses' and nursing assistants' perceptions of urinary incontinence (UI) in the elderly are well-documented; however, little to no research focuses specifically on physiotherapists. This study aims to explore physiotherapists' perspectives on UI among elderly patients.

Objectives

To assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of physiotherapists in France regarding managing UI in elderly patients, and to explore how training influences their confidence and clinical behaviors.

Methods

A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among physiotherapists practicing in France. The questionnaire addressed sociodemographic characteristics, experience with elderly patients with UI, and training in pelvic-perineal rehabilitation. Descriptive statistics and χ² analyses were used to identify associations.

Results

A total of 106 responses were collected. Among respondents, 80 (75.5%) reported knowing UI in elderly patients, but 62 (58.5%) expressed feeling powerless when managing such cases. Only 62 (58.5%) reported having the skills to help patients with UI, and just 10 (9.4%) used validated assessment tools. Physiotherapists who had received prior training—whether through initial education, continuing education, or self-directed study—were significantly more likely to report confidence, satisfaction, and proper use of tools (p < 0.01). A majority, 75 (70.8%), indicated a need for further training, and 60 (56.6%) expressed the need for clinical guidelines.

Discussion

This study reveals a gap between physiotherapists' knowledge of UI and their ability to manage it confidently in elderly patients. Training was significantly associated with greater competence and use of recommended practices. The underuse of assessment tools and expressed need for clearer guidelines suggest structural gaps in support and education.

Conclusion

Improving UI training and access to standardized tools could enhance physiotherapists' confidence and quality of care. Although conducted in France, these findings may inform international strategies to address similar gaps in geriatric continence care.

MESH

Urinary Incontinence; Aged; Geriatric Assessment; Pelvic Floor; Physical Therapy Modalities; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Surveys and Questionnaires; Education, Professional; Education, Continuing; Clinical Competence; France.

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物理治疗师对法国老年患者尿失禁管理的知识、态度和实践：一项横断面研究

关于护士和护理助理对老年人尿失禁（UI）的认知的研究有充分的文献记录；然而，很少甚至没有专门针对物理治疗师的研究。本研究旨在探讨物理治疗师对老年患者尿失速的看法。目的评估法国物理治疗师对老年患者尿失尿管理的知识、态度和做法，并探讨培训如何影响他们的信心和临床行为。方法对在法国执业的物理治疗师进行横断面在线调查。调查问卷涉及社会人口学特征、老年尿失禁患者的经验以及盆腔会阴康复培训。采用描述性统计和χ2分析确定相关性。结果共收集问卷106份。在受访者中，80人（75.5%）表示了解老年患者的尿失禁，但62人（58.5%）表示在处理此类病例时感到无能为力。只有62人（58.5%）报告有技能帮助尿失尿患者，只有10人（9.4%）使用有效的评估工具。接受过前期培训的物理治疗师——无论是通过初始教育、继续教育还是自主学习——都更有可能报告信心、满意度和正确使用工具（p < 0.01）。大多数，75人（70.8%）表示需要进一步培训，60人（56.6%）表示需要临床指南。本研究揭示了物理治疗师对老年患者尿失速的知识与他们自信地管理尿失速的能力之间的差距。培训与更强的能力和推荐做法的使用显著相关。评估工具的使用不足和明确指导方针的需要表明在支助和教育方面存在结构性差距。结论改进用户界面培训和使用标准化工具可提高物理治疗师的信心和护理质量。虽然是在法国进行的，但这些发现可能为解决老年失禁护理方面类似差距的国际战略提供信息。MESH尿失禁；岁的;老年的评估;盆底;物理治疗方式；卫生知识、态度和做法；调查和问卷；教育、专业;教育、继续;临床能力;法国。

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来源期刊

LUTS: Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms UROLOGY & NEPHROLOGY-

CiteScore

3.00

自引率

7.70%

发文量

审稿时长

>12 weeks

期刊介绍： LUTS is designed for the timely communication of peer-reviewed studies which provides new clinical and basic science information to physicians and researchers in the field of neurourology, urodynamics and urogynecology. Contributions are reviewed and selected by a group of distinguished referees from around the world, some of whom constitute the journal''s Editorial Board. The journal covers both basic and clinical research on lower urinary tract dysfunctions (LUTD), such as overactive bladder (OAB), detrusor underactivity, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), bladder outlet obstruction (BOO), urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse (POP), painful bladder syndrome (PBS), as well as on other relevant conditions. Case reports are published only if new findings are provided. LUTS is an official journal of the Japanese Continence Society, the Korean Continence Society, and the Taiwanese Continence Society. Submission of papers from all countries are welcome. LUTS has been accepted into Science Citation Index Expanded (SCIE) with a 2011 Impact Factor.