Working with families to boost children's continence

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Healthcare
• Urology
• Behavioral Health

Background:

• Idiopathic paediatric continence problems present significant management challenges.
• Existing care models may not fully engage children and families in treatment.
• High "did not attend" (DNA) rates and long waiting lists impact service delivery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and evaluate a novel care model for idiopathic paediatric continence problems.
• To assess the impact of empowering children and families in self-management.
• To determine the model's effectiveness in improving treatment outcomes and resource utilization.

Main Methods:

• Implementation of a child and family-centered self-management care model.
• Focus on empowering patients through education and active participation.
• Monitoring of treatment outcomes, DNA rates, and waiting list durations.

Main Results:

• Significant improvements in treatment outcomes were observed.
• A notable reduction in "did not attend" rates was achieved.
• Waiting lists were demonstrably shortened, indicating increased efficiency.
• The model proved to be cost-effective.

Conclusions:

• Empowering children and families through a self-management model is effective for idiopathic paediatric continence.
• This innovative approach enhances clinical outcomes and operational efficiency.
• The model offers a sustainable and cost-effective solution for paediatric continence care.