Bladder buzz: the effect of a 6-week evidence-based staff education program on knowledge and attitudes regarding urinary incontinence in a nursing home.

Background: Research shows that there is a basic gap in the knowledge of nursing home staff about urinary incontinence and the previous societal belief that urinary incontinence is a normal part of aging. This study examines the knowledge of nursing home staff about the types and treatment of urinary incontinence as well as attitudes toward urinary incontinence.

Methods: A quasi-experimental, within-subject, longitudinal pretest/posttest design was used. Nursing home staff members received a 6-week educational intervention on the types and treatment of urinary incontinence and attitudes toward urinary incontinence.

Results: Changes in knowledge about the types of urinary incontinence showed statistical significance for stress (p < .001), functional (p < .003), and overflow (p < .00) urinary incontinence. Changes in attitudes toward urinary incontinence showed statistical significance (p < .000). Changes in staff knowledge of the assessment and treatment of urinary incontinence did not reach statistical significance.

Conclusion: This study showed that creative, evidence-based educational programming can improve staff knowledge about urinary incontinence and change staff attitudes toward urinary incontinence. Further research is needed on staff knowledge about the assessment and treatment of urinary incontinence.