title: Empowering patients to self-manage in the context of incontinence.
abstract: Chronic diseases cause complex challenges and difficulties for patients, families and health professionals. With the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases, long-term treatment interventions may be required. Health professionals must empower patients to adhere to therapies and develop self-management strategies. The aetiology of bladder and bowel dysfunctions is multi-dimensional with some individuals who present with chronic disease being predisposed to urinary or faecal incontinence. This article will discuss the concepts of compliance, adherence and concordance approaches in the management of bladder and bowel dysfunction, focusing on the concept of self-management approaches to enhance patients' adherence to treatment regimens and maximise therapeutic outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Nurse Specialist-Continence, Health Service Executive Continence Promotion Unit, Dr Steevens Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: Anne Marie
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.affiliation: Lecturer and Researcher, School of Nursing and Midwifery, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: Fionnuala
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Jordan
mesh_terms: D002908:Chronic Disease; D005242:Fecal Incontinence / Q000451:nursing / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011209:Power, Psychological; D012648:Self Care; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000451:nursing / Q000628:therapy*
keywords: Bladder and bowel dysfunction; Chronic disease; Compliance; Incontinence; Non-adherence