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Assistive technology products for toilet-use and continence containment problems in the home setting: A mapping
Marjolein Woodhouse1, Miriam Avery1, Lois Woods2
1School of Health Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, United Kingdom.
Purpose:
This study aimed to identify common toilet-use and continence containment problems among community-dwelling adults, explore the range of assistive products available for these issues, and map the products identified to the problems they address.
Design:
A mapping review methodology was employed, modified to include grey literature, to identify the full range of toilet-use and continence containment assistive products that are designed for use in the home setting.
Methods:
An initial inventory of toilet-use and continence containment problems was derived from toilet-use task sequence analysis and commonly occurring containment challenges. This was supplemented by scoping searches of grey literature and refined with feedback from partner representatives. Assistive products were identified through structured online searches and review of seminal texts. A nurse researcher with community health experience then mapped the categories of assistive products to the identified problems.
Results:
Thirty-three toilet-use and containment problems were identified, stratified into 295 subproblems based on end-user characteristics, including physical and cognitive function, and urinary or faecal voiding needs. The search revealed 163 categories of assistive products and mapping these to the subproblems resulted in more than 1500 product-to-problem links. No suitable assistive product options were identified for six sub-problems.
Conclusion:
Given the diversity of toilet-use and containment challenges faced by community-dwelling individuals and the array of available assistive products, this novel study highlights the complexity of matching products to individual needs. These findings emphasise the need for better resources to support individuals, caregivers and healthcare professionals in optimising decision-making on and selection of toilet-use and continence containment products.
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