News Release

CHAPEL HILL -- A supplement appearing in the November-December 2004 issue of the journal Nursing Research reports that gaps exist in the knowledge base health-care professionals need to care for incontinent frail elderly patients and that research is urgently needed in this area.

The supplement will be available free to the public through Jan. 15 by clicking on www.nursingcenter.com/library/JournalArticle.asp?Article_ID=535010.

Dr. Molly C. Dougherty, Nursing Research editor and professor of nursing at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, said she hoped the supplement would re-energize incontinence research and influence those who study and manage incontinence, a health condition affecting an estimated 20 million Americans.

Published by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, the supplement, "Shaping Future Directions for Incontinence Research," synthesizes the findings from an international invitational summit made up of many of the world’s leading nurses, researchers, clinicians, educators, administrators and incontinence industry stakeholders. As part of the John A. Hartford Foundation Geriatric Nursing Initiative, the summit addressed research priorities for incontinence that affect clinical care and policy recommendations.

Nearly $25.5 billion is spent annually on supplies and services to treat incontinence, yet health-care professionals have said that the condition is under-detected and under-treated because of the embarrassment it causes sufferers.

"Shaping Future Directions for Incontinence Research" addresses behavior change theories applied to incontinence, population-based strategies for prevention, patient-centered interventions, research on incontinence among frail elders, urinary incontinence in men and fecal incontinence. Other topics include the use of technology, devices and products to manage incontinence and translational research.

UNC School of Nursing faculty contributing to the supplement are Dr. Mary H. Palmer, Umphlet distinguished professor in aging; Dr. Alice R. "Dee Dee" Boyington, assistant professor; and Dr. Jean Kincade, research associate professor.

The supplement was edited by Dr. Jean F. Wyman, professor and director of Center for Nursing Research on Elders at the University of Minnesota; and Dr. Donna Z. Bliss, professor of nursing at the University of Minnesota.

- 30 -

School of Nursing contact: Amanda Dindino, (919) 966-1412 or Amanda_dindino@unc.edu