|
|
SUMMER 2007 |
 |
|
Online Only
h
e a l t h P R O M O T I O N
Clinic helps
women with urinary incontinence
|
|
|
Submitted Photo |
|
|
|
|
An estimated 3.3 million
Canadians suffer in silence. Urinary incontinence has an enormous
psychological, social, and economic impact on an individual’s quality of
life.
|
|
|
|
By Rhonda Fagner |
|
An estimated 3.3 million Canadians
suffer in silence. Urinary incontinence has an enormous
psychological, social, and economic impact on an individual’s
quality of life. Urinary incontinence is underreported due to
embarrassment and the belief that nothing can be done to alleviate
it. Most people are unaware of the many treatment options available
for urinary incontinence.
A nurse continence advisor (NCA) is
located in the Women’s Health Clinic at the Health Sciences Centre. An
NCA is a registered nurse who has completed a recognized continence
promotion and management program. The NCA program is a one-year diploma
program currently offered at McMaster University. There are
approximately 250 NCAs practicing in Canada and there are three at the
Women’s Health Clinic – Mary Baird, Sherry Hudson, and Rhonda Fagner.
On initial visit to the NCA clinic, a
comprehensive assessment is completed which details incontinence
history, symptoms and voiding patterns, risk factors, fluid intake,
bowel history, current medications, and medical, surgical and
obstetrical histories.
This evaluation is followed by a physical
assessment focusing on a pelvic examination to determine muscle
strength. This process enables the NCA to determine the type of
incontinence and to identify contributing factors.
A treatment plan is developed in
collaboration with the patient. It is of vital importance to involve the
patient in making decisions about treatment options as the patient plays
the biggest role in determining whether or not the recommended
treatments will be effective.
Some of the treatment options include
dietary and fluid changes, bladder retraining, and Kegel exercises.
Generally, the first appointment will take from one to 1 ½ hours.
Follow-up appointments take about 30 minutes. A summary of the patients
visit is provided to the family physician. The NCA is able to refer the
patient to other health care professionals for problems that are outside
the NCA's scope of practice.
Dr. Susan King, a family physician in St.
John’s, has referred numerous patients to the nurse continence clinic.
She has received positive feedback from these patients. “The nurse
continence clinic provides a valuable service that fills an identified
gap in the care of women with incontinence,” said Dr. King.
If you believe that your patient can
benefit from this service or if you would like more information, please
call 709-777-7893 or 777-3018 to book an appointment.
Rhonda Fagner is a nurse continence
advisor at the Women’s Health Clinic, Health Sciences Centre. She can be
reached by email or by calling
709-777-7893.
|
