Rapid priority setting exercise on faecal incontinence for Cochrane Incontinence

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Patient-centered research
• Evidence synthesis

Background:

• Faecal incontinence (FI) significantly impacts patients' quality of life.
• Identifying stakeholder-specific research priorities is crucial for advancing FI management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify, expand, prioritize, and explore stakeholder topic uncertainties related to faecal incontinence (FI).
• To bridge the gap between existing evidence and the needs of patients, carers, and healthcare practitioners.

Main Methods:

• A rapid priority setting exercise was conducted.
• An evidence gap map (EGM) visually integrated trial evidence, systematic reviews, and stakeholder-identified uncertainties.
• A knowledge exchange workshop facilitated group discussions for prioritizing FI topic uncertainties.

Main Results:

• A significant mismatch was found between current evidence and stakeholder concerns regarding FI.
• Prioritized uncertainties included psychological support, lifestyle interventions, long-term effects, education, constipation, and cultural impact.
• Further exploration revealed themes of education, impact/burden, psychological support, healthcare services, stigma, treatments, cultural appropriateness, and technology.

Conclusions:

• Identified FI topic uncertainties are broad, necessitating further research.
• More investigation is required to refine emerging themes into consensus-driven research questions for deliverable studies.