Pelvic floor dysfunction: A scoping study exploring current service provision in the UK, interprofessional collaboration and future management priorities

Kathryn Julie Davis (1, 2) , Devinder Kumar (3) , Martyn Wake (4)

1 Consortium for Healthcare Research
2 Colorectal Department
3 Colorectal Department
4 General Practice

Objective Pelvic floor dysfunction(PFD) has a significant socioeconomic and healthcare cost. This study aimed to investigate current service provision for PFD in the UK, highlighting any gaps and areas for improvement to inform future service improvement. Methods A three phase design comprised a scoping literature review, consultation survey with frontline practitioners from four key professional groups and an overarching synthesis. An interpretative analytical framework was informed by the concepts of interdisciplinary and interprofessional collaboration. Results Empirical evidence on PFD service provision is limited. No overarching strategic approach to PFD as a single clinical entity in the UK was identified. Two hundred and forty three medical, nursing and physiotherapy practitioners from different clinical subspecialties participated in the survey. Access and availability to services, models of delivery and individual practice vary widely within and across the disciplines. Time restrictions, mixed professional attitudes, lack of standardization and low investment priority were identified as major barriers to optimal service provision. Five overlapping areas for improvement are highlighted: access and availability, team working and collaboration, funding and investment, education, training and research, public and professional awareness. Conclusions Current services are characterized by a fragmented approach with asynchronous delivery, limited investment and poor interprofessional integration. An improved service delivery model has the potential to improve outcomes through better interdisciplinary collaboration and efficient use of resources.

Mots clés: Medicine

Kathryn Julie Davis, Devinder Kumar, Martyn Wake. Pelvic floor dysfunction: A scoping study exploring current service provision in the UK, interprofessional collaboration and future management priorities. International Journal of Clinical Practice, 2010, 64 (12), pp.1661. ⟨10.1111/j.1742-1241.2010.02509.x⟩. ⟨hal-00585811⟩