Identifying the needs of obese women with urinary incontinence attending a specialist continence physiotherapy service

The aim of this study was to identify the needs of obese women with urinary incontinence (UI) attending a specialist continence physiotherapy service (SCPS). A cross-sectional convenience sample from a SCPS in one Scottish National Health Service trust, the modified nominal group technique (MNGT) and inductive content analysis were used. Twenty-two obese women with UI who were attending or had attended the SCPS within the previous 6 months were recruited. Three themes emerged from the MNGT that were perceived to represent the most important needs of obese women with UI: communication, professional behaviour and service provision. Forty-eight per cent of the participants identified communication as their highest priority, then professional behaviour (27%) and service provision (25%). Urinary incontinence is embarrassing for many women, and the needs of obese women may differ from those of women who are not because of weight-related psychological anxieties and the risk of UI. Identifying the needs of obese women with UI may better inform the SCPS and provide appropriate services for them.