title: Knowledge and Practice Behaviors Regarding Urinary Incontinence Among Korean Healthcare Providers in Long-term Care Hospitals.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to assess the current management status of patients with urological issues and to examine the level of knowledge and practice behaviors regarding urinary incontinence (UI) among Korean healthcare providers in long-term care hospitals.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study used a cross-sectional descriptive design with a written questionnaire to assess knowledge and practice behaviors of 756 healthcare providers in 11 long-term care hospitals in Korean metropolitan areas.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total 42.6% of participants reported that more than 50% of patients had urologic issues, and that 68.1% of patients were regularly sent to urologists; no participants reported an on-site urologist in their facility. Participants identified collaboration with other hospitals and regular consultations by urologists as important factors in improving urologic care. Although the overall UI knowledge score was upper intermediate, a knowledge deficit was found for risk factors of UI. The knowledge level of physicians was significantly higher than that of other healthcare providers. Practice behaviors of nurses seemed to be better than those of other healthcare providers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Systematic collaboration between healthcare providers and urologic specialists, enhancing staff competence, and patient-tailored intervention should be recommended to improve quality of care for patients with urologic issues in long-term care hospitals.
authors.affiliation: Mo-Im Kim Nursing Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Nursing, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Yeonsoo
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-1898-025X
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Jang
authors.affiliation: Seoul Women's College of Nursing, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Bo Eun
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyung Suk
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Young Ju
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Seoul National University College of Nursing, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Sangrim
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Su Jin
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Chang Wook
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-2200-5019
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Jeong
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Gachon University Gil Medical Center, Gachon University School of Medicine, Incheon, Korea.
authors.forename: Khae Hawn
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-7045-8004
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Kim
keywords: Health Personnel; Knowledge; Long-Term Care; Professional Practice; Urinary Incontinence