A qualitative analysis of individual and family caregiver responses to the impact of urinary incontinence on quality of life.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the original mixed-design study was to compare affected individual and family caregiver perceptions of urinary incontinence quality of life in relation to their empathic responses toward one another and to explore their qualitative responses of factors that hinder or facilitate these responses. The aim of this secondary analysis is to report responses shared by affected individuals and family caregivers on how their lives have been impacted by urinary incontinence.


METHODS
Qualitative study with content analysis.


METHODS
The sample comprised 13 persons with urinary incontinence and 13 family caregivers. Their mean age was 78 years and the mean age for caregivers was 67 years. Caregivers were mainly the spouses or daughters of affected respondents. Interviews were conducted in participants' homes in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.


METHODS
Data were collected via 26 audio-recorded interviews. Content analysis was used to capture major themes arising from the data.


RESULTS
Five major themes with respective subthemes highlight how urinary incontinence influenced the quality of life of affected individuals and their family caregivers, including (1) life changes, (2) psychological responses and coping, (3) painful responses of others, (4) reticence to seek medical attention, and (5) advice to health care professionals.


CONCLUSIONS
Health care professionals should recognize that dealing with urinary incontinence in the home is a "team effort" between affected individuals and family caregivers. Educational efforts need to counter attitudes in care providers who avoid talking about urinary continence and enhance sensitivities toward affected individuals' and family caregivers' ongoing need for control in continence care based on their unique needs and preferences.
Michelle M. Lobchuk, RN, PhD, Associate Professor and Manitoba Research Chair in Caregiver Communication, Faculty of Nursing, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Fran Rosenberg, RN, BN, GNC(c), CRN(c), Nurse Continence Advisor, Continence Care Clinic, Riverview Health Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Michelle M
MM
Lobchuk
Fran
F
Rosenberg
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002170:Canada; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D017281:Cost of Illness; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010361:Patients / Q000523:psychology*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*