Exploring support, experiences and needs of older women and health professionals to inform a self-management package for urinary incontinence: a qualitative study

Objectives Many women attempt to manage urinary incontinence (UI) independently with variable success while health professionals may be unaware of their needs. This study aimed to (1) understand older women’s experiences of UI, their self-management strategies and support needs; (2) explore health professionals’ experiences of supporting women and providing relevant services and (3) combine their experiences contribute to development of a theory-based and evidence-based self-management package for UI.

Design Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 older women with UI and 11 specialist health professionals. Data were analysed independently using the framework approach, then synthesised in a triangulation matrix to identify implications for content and delivery of the self-management package.

Setting Community centres, community continence clinic and urogynaecology centre of a local teaching hospital in northern England.

Participants Women aged 55 years and over who self-reported symptoms of UI and health professionals delivering UI services.

Results Three overarching themes emerged. Older women see UI as a ‘fact of life’ but many struggle with it: women typically considered UI as part of ageing yet expressed annoyance, distress, embarrassment and had made significant lifestyle changes. Access to information and limited high-quality professional support: health professionals provided specialist UI care and information. Yet less than half of women accessed specialist services, those who had, highly valued these services. ‘Trial and error’ with different self-management strategies: women had tried or were using different strategies (continence pads, pelvic floor exercises, bladder management and training, fluid management and medication), with mixed success. Health professionals provided evidence-based, personalised support and motivation.

Conclusions Findings informed the content of the self-management package that focused on providing facts, acknowledging challenges of living with/self-managing UI, sharing others’ experiences, using motivational strategies and self-management tools. Delivery preferences were independent use by women or working through the package with a health professional.