Swiderski Julie, Leterme Joëlle Lansonneur, Bloch Fréderic, Sarhan François-Régis
Physiotherapy School, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Amiens-Picardie, Amiens, France.
Institut d'Ingénierie de la Santé-Faculté de Médecine, Université de Picardie Jules Verne, Amiens, France.
Low Urin Tract Symptoms. 2025 Jul;17(4):e70022. doi: 10.1111/luts.70022.
Studies on nurses' and nursing assistants' perceptions of urinary incontinence (UI) in the elderly are well-documented; however, little to no research focuses specifically on physiotherapists. This study aims to explore physiotherapists' perspectives on UI among elderly patients.
To assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of physiotherapists in France regarding managing UI in elderly patients, and to explore how training influences their confidence and clinical behaviors.
A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among physiotherapists practicing in France. The questionnaire addressed sociodemographic characteristics, experience with elderly patients with UI, and training in pelvic-perineal rehabilitation. Descriptive statistics and χ analyses were used to identify associations.
A total of 106 responses were collected. Among respondents, 80 (75.5%) reported knowing UI in elderly patients, but 62 (58.5%) expressed feeling powerless when managing such cases. Only 62 (58.5%) reported having the skills to help patients with UI, and just 10 (9.4%) used validated assessment tools. Physiotherapists who had received prior training-whether through initial education, continuing education, or self-directed study-were significantly more likely to report confidence, satisfaction, and proper use of tools (p < 0.01). A majority, 75 (70.8%), indicated a need for further training, and 60 (56.6%) expressed the need for clinical guidelines.
This study reveals a gap between physiotherapists' knowledge of UI and their ability to manage it confidently in elderly patients. Training was significantly associated with greater competence and use of recommended practices. The underuse of assessment tools and expressed need for clearer guidelines suggest structural gaps in support and education.
Improving UI training and access to standardized tools could enhance physiotherapists' confidence and quality of care. Although conducted in France, these findings may inform international strategies to address similar gaps in geriatric continence care. MESH: Urinary Incontinence; Aged; Geriatric Assessment; Pelvic Floor; Physical Therapy Modalities; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Surveys and Questionnaires; Education, Professional; Education, Continuing; Clinical Competence; France.
关于护士和护理助理对老年人尿失禁（UI）认知的研究有详细记录；然而，专门针对物理治疗师的研究几乎没有。本研究旨在探讨物理治疗师对老年患者尿失禁的看法。
评估法国物理治疗师在管理老年患者尿失禁方面的知识、态度和实践，并探讨培训如何影响他们的信心和临床行为。
对在法国执业的物理治疗师进行了一项横断面在线调查。问卷涉及社会人口统计学特征、老年尿失禁患者的治疗经验以及盆底 - 会阴康复培训。使用描述性统计和χ分析来确定关联。
共收集到106份回复。在受访者中，80人（75.5%）报告了解老年患者的尿失禁情况，但62人（58.5%）表示在处理此类病例时感到无能为力。只有62人（58.5%）报告具备帮助尿失禁患者的技能，仅有10人（9.4%）使用经过验证的评估工具。接受过先前培训的物理治疗师——无论是通过初始教育、继续教育还是自主学习——更有可能报告有信心、满意度以及正确使用工具（p < 0.01）。大多数人，75人（70.8%）表示需要进一步培训，60人（56.6%）表示需要临床指南。
本研究揭示了物理治疗师对尿失禁的知识与他们在老年患者中自信管理尿失禁能力之间的差距。培训与更高的能力和推荐实践的使用显著相关。评估工具使用不足以及对更清晰指南的需求表明在支持和教育方面存在结构性差距。
改善尿失禁培训和获得标准化工具可以增强物理治疗师的信心和护理质量。尽管该研究在法国进行，但这些发现可能为解决老年尿失禁护理中类似差距的国际策略提供参考。医学主题词：尿失禁；老年人；老年评估；盆底；物理治疗方式；健康知识、态度、实践；调查和问卷；专业教育；继续教育；临床能力；法国。
