3847 Continence and training opportunities and barriers in speciality geriatric medicine training

Abstract Introduction We know continence is important to older people but can often be overlooked in clinical practice. Continence can now be selected as a theme for service in the new geriatric medicine curriculum but there is concern that the uptake of this is poor. Our aim was to understand and quantify continence training opportunities and understand current and potential uptake of Continence as a Theme for Service. Method A short online survey was created and resident doctors training in geriatric medicine were invited to complete it from December 2024–April 2025. The survey was included in the BGS trainees bulletin in January 2025 and sent to trainee representatives to distribute. Results 56 responses were received. Responses were from doctors from 12 regions and doctors from both early (48%) and late (52%) stages of training. Most responses reported including continence in a comprehensive geriatric assessment always, or almost always (55%), however most felt unconfident or very unconfident (52%) that they could meet the core continence curriculum outcomes. Only a small proportion of doctors from this sample were very likely, or likely, to pursue continence as a theme for service (9%). The most selected reason for not pursuing a theme for service in continence, following being more interested in another theme, was lack of access to specialist continence clinics (25%) and a lack of consultants with a specialist interest (8.9%). Conclusion Resident doctors training in geriatric medicine recognise continence as an important aspect of a comprehensive geriatric medicine. However, interest in continence as a theme for service is limited and lack of access to specialist clinics and training is a major factor in this. Ensuring resident doctors are aware of specialist clinics, and can access them, as well as consultants who have an interest, is key to improving interest in the sub-speciality.