Role and Preparedness of Physiotherapists in Prevention of Chronic Diseases, Using Stress Urinary Incontinence in Women as an Example 

Abstract

Background: Ageing human population will generate a significant number of patients with chronic diseases, and this will lead to a significant increase in demand for health services and to a deteriorated economic situation in many countries. Stress urinary incontinence is the chronic diseases and one of the most important global health problems. Representatives of medical professions provide their patients with knowledge about the appropriate prevention and treatment of diseases. The aim of the study was to evaluate knowledge among graduates of physiotherapy about stress urinary incontinence in women. Methods: The study included 401 participants, students in their final year of physiotherapy. Respondents provided answers to open questions about their knowledge about stress incontinence in women.Results: The complete definition of stress urinary incontinence in women was given by 64.4% of physiotherapy students at the Medical University and 56.3% of physiotherapy students at the Physical Education University. The students of the Medical University, in comparison with the students of the Physical Education University, were more aware of risk factors (86.4% vs 69.4%), prevention methods (85.6% vs 68.7%), and conservative (92.4% vs 77.8%) and surgical treatment (28.0% vs 6.7%) of stress urinary incontinence in women (p<0.001). Conclusions: For the future students to better fulfil their role in providing care to female patients with SUI, a greater emphasis should be put on their education in that area. Research has shown that the disciplinary focus of universities educating students of physiotherapy plays a significant role in gaining knowledge about SUI.