title: A multi-professional UK wide survey of undergraduate continence education.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Findings from national audits and enquiries continue to report that care for patients with continence problems is often substandard and inadequate education is often cited as one of the probable causes. These factors combined with the forecasted increase in the number of people with incontinence prompted us to undertake a survey of all UK Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) to establish the amount of undergraduate continence education within relevant healthcare programs--medical, adult nursing, mental health nursing, learning disabilities nursing, children's nursing, midwifery, physiotherapy, and occupational therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  An on line questionnaire targeted course program leads (n = 362) in all 86 HEIs in which undergraduate professional healthcare programs were provided (n = 362).
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty-six HEIs were approached, 85 agreed to participate in the survey. A response rate of 81% (n = 294/362 programs) was obtained: 14% (n = 42) of respondents reported that there was no continence-related education within their undergraduate program. The mean number of hours was 4.7 (SD 4.3), and ranged from 2.5 (SD 3.5) hr (Occupational Therapy) to 7.3 (SD 4.8) hr (Adult Nursing).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The survey results indicate that the amount of undergraduate education has changed little. Further research is needed to identify the most appropriate methods of delivering continence education and translate knowledge into improved patient outcomes. Adequate undergraduate continence education directed by the General Medical Council, Royal Colleges and Health Professional Council is required.
authors: Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professions Research Unit, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK. doreen.mcclurg@gcu.ac.uk
authors: D
authors: D
authors: McClurg
authors: F M
authors: FM
authors: Cheater
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Eustice
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Burke
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Jamieson
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Hagen
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003479:Curriculum; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate; D004506:Education, Nursing; D004517:Education, Professional; D005242:Fecal Incontinence / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008880:Midwifery / Q000193:education; D009788:Occupational Therapy / Q000193:education; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000193:education; D006113:United Kingdom; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D014572:Urology / Q000193:education*