Urinary incontinence post-stroke: a qualitative exploration of the multidisciplinary management in the acute stage post-stroke

To explore how staff on a hyperacute/acute stroke unit in the United Kingdom (UK) perceived the management of urinary incontinence (UI) and their role within this. Qualitative exploration using questionnaires and interviews. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and themes were identified using framework analysis. Analysis of 43 questionnaires and 5 follow-up interviews identified 3 themes: “A focus on containment and the impact of UI on patient well-being,” “Invisibility of UI as a rehabilitative goal,” and “Readiness for change with recognition of the value of multidisciplinary working for UI rehabilitation.” Staff across all professional groups considered UI an important problem to address post-stroke. In contrast to other aspects of stroke rehabilitation, UI is less visible, despite staff recognising the impact of communication, cognition and sensorimotor deficits on this problem. Greater interprofessional working and goal setting may support a more rehabilitative continence culture. Urinary Incontinence (UI) following stroke is a common problem and is associated with a reduced quality of life, mortality, and institutionalisation.Conflicting clinical priorities in acute stroke care such as mobility practice, swallow therapy and discharge planning, challenge provision of a rehabilitative UI culture which is considered time consuming.Unlike other aspects of stroke rehabilitation, UI is invisible and often doesn’t feature in multi-disciplinary meetings or goal setting.Improved knowledge and communication of post-stroke UI is needed to enable healthcare professionals to feel confident to include continence rehabilitation into their scope of practice. Urinary Incontinence (UI) following stroke is a common problem and is associated with a reduced quality of life, mortality, and institutionalisation. Conflicting clinical priorities in acute stroke care such as mobility practice, swallow therapy and discharge planning, challenge provision of a rehabilitative UI culture which is considered time consuming. Unlike other aspects of stroke rehabilitation, UI is invisible and often doesn’t feature in multi-disciplinary meetings or goal setting. Improved knowledge and communication of post-stroke UI is needed to enable healthcare professionals to feel confident to include continence rehabilitation into their scope of practice.