title: Urinary incontinence in Canada. National survey of family physicians' knowledge, attitudes, and practices.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine current knowledge, attitudes, and management of urinary incontinence among family physicians in Canada.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional mailed survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  Family physicians in Canada.
  
  
  METHODS
  A random sample of 1500 members of the College of Family Physicians of Canada.
  
  
  METHODS
  Self-assessed knowledge, self-reported attitudes, and rating of various tests and treatments in the investigation and management of incontinence.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall unadjusted response rate was 43.3% (650/1500). Although most respondents reported that urinary incontinence was common in their practices, less than half (46.0%, 284/617) indicated that they clearly understood incontinence and just 37.9% (232/612) had an organized plan for incontinence problems. Only 35.0% (214/612) of respondents felt very comfortable dealing with incontinence. Physical examination, urodynamic studies, urinalysis, and testing blood sugar levels were all considered important investigations by more than 90% of respondents.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There are wide variations in knowledge, attitudes, practices, and comfort level among family physicians dealing with urinary incontinence.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ont. swansongr@yahoo.com
authors.forename: J Graham
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Swanson
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Skelly
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hutchison
authors.forename: Janusz
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kaczorowski
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002170:Canada; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010821:Physicians, Family; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D014563:Urodynamics