Nurses' educational preparation and knowledge concerning continence promotion.

A survey of qualified and learner nurses was carried out in one health district in the Midlands, in England, to establish the level of their educational preparation and knowledge concerning continence management. In spite of considerable advances in the management of urinary incontinence, in recent years, pre- and post-registration education still focused predominantly upon palliative rather than therapeutic or rehabilitative nursing strategies. Results indicated that many nurses, irrespective of grade, appeared to lack sufficient knowledge about incontinence upon which informed nursing practice should be based. The implications of these findings for practice and education are discussed.