Living with faecal incontinence: follow-up to a research project

This paper reports on a descriptive qualitative five-year follow-up to an initial UK-based grounded theory study entitled 'Living with Faecal Incontinence.' Both studies collected data using in-depth guided interviews. The aim of the follow-up study was to identify any changes including adaptation and establish determining factors for people with faecal incontinence. Of the 22 participants in the original study, 11 joined the follow-up. Of these, nine participants demonstrated degrees of adaptation, assisted by symptom improvement using practical means or accepted what cannot be changed, downgrading their aspirations. One, having progressed, had become static in an intermediate position, while another displayed little adaptation. Health professionals can assist adaptation by being aware of clinical interventions to improve symptoms and practical means available. Where appropriate, the use of role models may help. Role model effectiveness, together with further long-term investigation into living with faecal incontinence, provide topics for future research.