Reflecting on best practice in specialist continence service provision: an Australian perspective

This descriptive study aimed to identify current practices and issues related to specialist continence service provision in Australia. Informants from 14 specialist continence agencies were interviewed via telephone using a semi-structured interview guide, eliciting information about their agencies and canvassing their views about issues involved in providing continence services. Informants provided a range of information including services provided, clients targeted, sources of referrals, funding arrangements and perspectives on issues related to providing excellent continence services. Practitioners identified a range of issues including the need for multi-disciplinarity, self referral, a rise in the profile of continence agencies (both in the community and with health professionals), secure resourcing, access to diagnostic services/equipment and appropriate referral networks. The information provided presents a picture of continence service provision in Australia. Providing a snapshot of the status of current continence service provision may assist continence care providers to benchmark and lobby for management support from within their own agencies.