Automated Screening and Education Increases Urinary Incontinence Diagnoses - News Center

"Epidemiological data shows that at any given time, 20 to 40 percent of women experience urinary incontinence and that most of them feel uncomfortable bringing this up directly to their primary care doctor. We knew that we were under-diagnosing urinary incontinence and therefore not serving our female population best."

"For many patients, lifestyle changes can help improve symptoms. However, previous work has found that a woman's lifetime risk of bothersome UI is 45 percent and that one in seven women will undergo surgery for UI in their lifetime. Despite this increased risk, many women do not seek treatment due to embarrassment or lack of knowledge about UI treatment."

Urinary incontinence affects over half of women and increases with age, yet many avoid seeking treatment due to embarrassment or lack of knowledge. A study involving over 72,000 women across 43 primary care practices implemented an automated screening program with educational initiatives during annual wellness visits. Electronic health records tracked outcomes before and after implementation. The program successfully increased awareness and treatment referrals by systematically identifying women with bothersome incontinence and providing education about available treatment options, addressing the significant under-diagnosis of this prevalent condition in primary care settings.

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