[Communication about incontinence between affected individuals and health care providers - the patients' perspective]

Communication is a key competence for medical and nursing health care providers alike. However, there appear to be areas of "speechlessness" regarding specific medical problems, including the "taboo" disease incontinence. There is a lack of scientific data regarding incontinence in the context of communication among patients and health care professionals.The descriptive study was designed to provide insights how female and male patients alike perceive communications about incontinence with doctors and nurses, respectively. 22 structured interviews were conducted and taped with 16 elderly female and 6 male patients (age >/= 60 years, mean: 81 years, demented patients excluded, n = 19 analysable), and five interviews each with doctors and nurses within the setting of a rehabilitation hospital for geriatric patients (not reported here). We used published methodology to interpret the diversity of patients' verbal communications to the female interviewer.Results suggest that patients wish to find a relationship based on sympathy, empathy and trust. If incontinence is addressed, it is by doctors, not patients. Statements by patients suggest that they differentiate between expectations addressing the professional level of medical care, and a level perhaps best described as the quality of the personal relationship between the patient and doctor. However, these twofold expectations were not distinguishable regarding nursing professionals, they were perceived on a "personal care level" only, not the professional level regarding incontinence. Independent of professional affiliation, patients expect empathy, understanding, and respect. They selectively criticize manners of (some) nurses and lack of understandable transfer of information by doctors. The gender of the care providers was not an issue for patients regarding communication about incontinence. The preliminary results show that there is room for improvement for better communication regarding incontinence. However, areas affected appear to differ between nursing and medical professionals.