How Much Knowledge and Awareness of Faecal Incontinence Is There in Primary Care?

Abstract

Faecal incontinence (FI) is a debilitating symptom with a likely underreported incidence in the general population. Postpartum or postmenopausal women are at increased risk of this. General Practitioners (GPs) have a vital role in screening patient groups with FI. Knowledge of the underlying diseases associated with FI is important for all clinicians who have contact with this patient group. An online questionnaire (Survey Monkey^TM, San Mateo, CA, USA) was sent to GPs in Wales and England through a deanery, social media and GP educational groups. Questions: A total of 250 participants completed the questionnaire—195 GPs and 55 GPSTs. Two-thirds had no coloproctology experience, but 70% had worked in obstetrics and gynaecology. In total, 70% had no formal FI training and 75% felt insufficiently informed about FI. A total of 80% felt that GPs need specific training on FI. A third of respondents used the 6-week postnatal check to assess maternal bowel function and most did not appreciate faecal urgency as a symptom. Patients should be asked about FI symptoms by GPs, particularly those populations at increased risk. Our GP survey participants were enthusiastic for more education on the treatment options and where to signpost patients with FI.

1. Introduction

Faecal incontinence (FI) is defined as the involuntary loss of faeces, be it liquid or solid, and is a symptom rather than a diagnosis [1]. Anal incontinence (AI) involves the additional loss of control passing flatus [1]. The incidence is reported as between 2 and 10% in the general population [2], but the incidence and prevalence are felt to be generally underestimated. Patients can feel unable to voluntarily disclose that they are suffering from FI due to the stigmatising nature of the condition, and previous data show over 70% of patients failing to discuss this with their doctor [3]. Those who do disclose this to their general practitioner (GP) are more likely to be experiencing severe FI which they are no longer able to cope with alone [3]. This is discouraging as there is treatment available and conservative management alone can improve symptoms in 60% of cases and restore continence in 20% of patients [3].

Although FI is not life threatening, it is still important because of the significant detrimental impact on the patients’ quality of life [4]. Recognition requires education and understanding of a subject [5]. A 2010 survey of medical, nursing and allied health professional undergraduate curriculums illustrated inadequate teaching about urinary and faecal continence problems [6]. An updated survey conducted by a member of our institution has shown faecal incontinence still does not feature in the undergraduate curriculums of the medical Royal Colleges (Royal College of General Practitioners, Royal College of Surgeons England, BGS, RCPCH) [7].

Our aim with this questionnaire was to look at base levels of understanding of FI in the GP and GPST population. The secondary aims were to assess how these clinicians want to learn, which will influence the design of education material for local trainees.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Study Design

This was a cross-sectional study using questionnaires on UK GPs and Welsh GP trainees which was delivered via online Survey Monkey^TM. The questionnaire was distributed to GPSTs via the Postgraduate Welsh Deanery Email. The link to the survey was also advertised on specific GP interest Twitter/Facebook accounts and other social media platforms. The surveys were completed between October and November 2018.

2.2. Survey Instrument

The 27-question anonymous online survey assessed general practitioners’ awareness and knowledge of the presenting symptoms of faecal incontinence. The final questionnaire was divided into three main sections: (i) demographics plus previous specialty experience, (ii) clinical knowledge of faecal incontinence presentation and (iii) preferences for information gathering and learning. The questions were developed with input from the multidisciplinary team who are involved with the pelvic floor service at University Hospital of Wales. The questionnaire was initially piloted at a local GP education day on 24 participants. The feedback from the pilot was used to develop the final version which was sent out. All questions were multiple choice with a select few allowing for free-text responses.

3. Results

A total of 250 participants completed the questionnaire—195 GPs and 55 GPSTs. This gives us a response rate for 11% GPST. The denominator for GPs is unknown due to the method of distribution. The majority of qualified GPs were aged 31–40 (55%), 25% were aged 41–50 and 12% were over 50 years old. The trainee cohort had a younger age distribution of participants, with the majority under the age of 30; overall, however, the largest age category was 31–40 with 52%. There was a female predominance in both the GP and GPST groups of 85 and 75%, respectively.

Both groups had similarly low levels of colorectal placement during the initial part of their careers (

Table 1. Demographics.

Gender
	GP (n = 195)	GPST (n = 55)	Combined (n = 250)
Female	88%	75%	85%
Male	12%	25%	15%
AGE
	GP (n = 55)	GPST (n = 195)	Combined (n = 250)
20–30	7.7%	52.7%	17.6%
31–40	55.4%	40.0%	52.0%
41–50	25.1%	1.8%	20.0%
50>	11.8%	5.5%	10.4%
Colorectal Post as Part of Training (n = 250)
GP	Yes 38%		No 62%
GPST	Yes 24%		No 76%
Obstetrics and Gynaecology Post as Part of Your Training (n = 250)
GP	Yes 76.4%		No 23.6%
GPST	Yes 50.9%		No 49.1%

). In total, 7% of GPs rotated through an obstetrics and gynaecology placement and 51% of GPSTs (Table 1).

Only 24% (n = 60) of those surveyed had received information on faecal incontinence and 50% of the responders said they had sought out information about faecal incontinence (

Table 2. Faecal incontinence education.

During You GP Training, Have You: (Combined Results) (n = 250)
•Ever received information on FI?	Yes 24.0%
•Ever searched for information on FI?	Yes 50.4%
•Do you feel sufficiently informed about FI?	Yes 12.0%
•Are you interested in more infor-mation on FI?	Yes 80.0%
•Do you think this is something GPs should be given specific training on?	Yes 79.6%
Have You Been on Any Specific Pelvic Floor Courses (n = 250)
Combined	Yes 14.4%
GP	Yes 15.4%
GPST	Yes 10.9%
If Your Patient Asked You about Pelvic Floor Problems Would You Feel Comfortable or Knowledgeable Enough to Give Advice? (n = 195)
YES 78%	No 22%

). In total, 80% of GPs were interested in additional information about faecal incontinence and 80% did feel GP/GPSTs should get some specific training on the subject (Table 2).

Over 80% of responders were aware of local continence teams in their local hospital (

Table 3. Faecal incontinence management.

Are you Aware of Any Continence Services in Your Local Health Board?
Combined (n = 226)	Yes 84.1%
GP (n = 177)	Yes 87.6%
GPST (n = 49)	Yes 71.4%
If You Had a Patient with FI Where Would You Initially Refer the Patients to? (Please Tick All Relevant)
	GP (n = 177)	GPST (n = 49)
Primary Care Continence Team	35.0%	36.7%
Pelvic Floor Nurses (in Hospital)	13.6%	18.4%
Physiotherapy	17.5%	24.5%
Colorectal Surgeons	43.5%	46.9%
Obstetric Team	7.9%	20.4%
Other (please specify)	0.0%	10.2%
Which Patient Symptoms Require Physiotherapy Referral?
	GP (n = 177)	GPST (n = 49)
C/o occasional leakage of faeces	70.45%	57.1%
Inability to control flatus	63.28%	44.9%
Precautionary use of a pad for soiling	58.19%	55.1%
C/o faecal urgency	40.68%	36.7%
Which Patient Symptoms Require Referral to Continence Team?
	GP (n = 177)	GPST (n = 49)
C/o occasional leakage of faeces	78.9%	81.6%
Inability to control flatus	40.0%	46.9%
Precautionary use of a pad for soiling	66.3%	71.4%
C/o faecal urgency	43.8%	44.9%
Does Age Play A Role in Your Referral to Continence Team?
Combined (n = 226)	Yes 29.6%
GP (n = 177)	Yes 28.3%
GPST (n = 49)	Yes 34.7%
Do You Ever Refer Men to the Continence Team?
Combined (n = 226)	Yes 70.4%
GP (n = 177)	Yes 72.3%
GPST (n = 49)	Yes 63.3%

). A total of 44% of responders would initially refer to colorectal surgical clinic followed by a primary care continence team (Table 3). The responders largely recognised the need for referral in instances of occasional leakage of faeces. Faecal urgency was unfortunately not deemed a priority by 60% of the cohort (Table 3).

General practitioners responding in the survey use a wide range of resources when researching a topic. The most common source of information for both cohorts was GP notebook (website), guidelines, colleagues and BMJ Learning. GP Notebook and guidelines were the most preferred resource for both GPSTs and GPs alike (Figure 1), but GPSTs had a preference for guidelines and GPs had a marginal preference for GP (Figure 2) Notebook. In total, 95% of the cohort was aware of what a podcast was, and just over half of all responders listened to any type of podcast. A total of 75% of the responders expressed an interest in using a podcast as a delivery format for surgical teaching. Additionally, 63% of those surveyed already use BMJ Learning for their continuing education but nearly 90% said they would be interested in a faecal incontinence BMJ Learning module.

4. Discussion

The results of this cross-sectional study suggest there is awareness of FI amongst GPs and GP trainees, but it is not universal and there is an appetite amongst primary care clinicians to be better informed about FI through a variety of teaching materials.

This study suggests there is a deficiency in education of general practitioners about faecal incontinence, but there is enthusiasm to change this. Work conducted over a decade ago by Thekkinkattil and colleagues in 2007 also showed limited knowledge in primary care [8]. Several National Audits of Continence (2006, 2008, and 2010) have highlighted that inadequate professional education is a factor which has contributed to poor continence care of patients in primary and secondary care. In Spain the GIFT Project undertook an education program with general practitioners, practice nurses and community based midwifes [9]. The detection of faecal incontinence consequentially increased from less than 1% preintervention to 4.8%.

The GPST syllabus has to cover a wide range of topics and GPs are not expected to have a specialist understanding of faecal incontinence. Faecal incontinence only has one reference in the GPST syllabus—urinary incontinence has eight [10]. The limited inclusion of FI content in the syllabus may be one cause of the lack of information/knowledge in GPs. By using responses from the final part of our survey, particularly the local trainees, we can determine the direction for the formation of education resources. The surveyed cohort expressed an interest in utilising E-learning (BMJ Learning) to help improve their knowledge of FI. At present, there is no FI BMJ Learning. A survey or German GP trainees has shown a further positive change in attitude to E-learning over the last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic [11]. E-learning resources are currently being developed locally to assist with postgraduate education on FI in Wales.

Postpartum women are most at risk of FI in the initial 3 months, meaning the routine postnatal check-up is a perfect screening time woman for FI [12]. The role of the 6–8 week postnatal check-up has been discussed in the media and is part of Hidden Half Campaign by the National Childbirth Trust [13]. The current research shows that this time is largely focused on the baby and maternal health is not given much attention [14]. Our survey illustrates this problem with less than half of GPs surveyed taking this opportunity to ask screening questions for FI (

Table 4. Recognition of symptoms.

Is Pelvic Pain after Delivery Normal?	Combined (n = 225)—Yes
Immediately postpartum?	91.1%
1 month postpartum?	29.3%
6 months postpartum?	2.2%
Is Urinary Incontinence after Delivery Normal?	Combined (n = 226)—Yes
Immediately postpartum?	59.6%
1 month postpartum?	23.6%
6 months postpartum?	4.4%
Is Faecal Incontinence after Delivery Normal?	Combined (n = 226)—Yes
Immediately postpartum?	16.8%
1 month postpartum?	1.8%
6 months postpartum?	0.4%
Is Dyspareunia after Delivery Normal?	Combined (n = 25)—Yes
1 month postpartum?	63.6%
6 months postpartum?	3.1%
Do You Ask Women about Symptoms of Faecal Incontinence as Part of the 6 Week Check or in the Postpartum Period?	Combined (n = 226)—Yes
Yes	41.2%
No	58.8%

). An update in the GP contract for 2020/21 with funding for a separate maternal appointment is proposed [15]. Screening questions are utilised in the antenatal period to help identify women at risk of domestic violence [16]. A bundle of questions at a formal postnatal check would increase detection of FI based on previous research.

There are opportunities in general practice for bundles of questions to be used in the other high-risk populations such as nursing homes and patients of increased age. Patients aged 40–75 years old who are not already undergoing follow-up for chronic disease are offered interval health checks. While there is a lot to cover in these consultations, a question on FI to prompt a further review would again help with detection. Nursing homes in the UK are normally covered by a single GP practice. Screening of these patients could be carried out in conjunction with routine pharmacy reviews the GPs already undertake.

The limitation of this study is the difficulty in calculating the response rate. The methods used for distribution mean we do not know how many saw the link to the survey. In the GPST group there where 480 trainees at the time, giving an 11% response rate. Bias may have been introduced into the results with the GP group as those responding to the survey were members of women’s health focused social media groups. The questionnaire was not set up to force all questions to be answer which has led to some inconsistencies in the number of responses per question.

5. Conclusions

Our study shows that there is need for improvement in GP’s knowledge of faecal incontinence through various teaching avenues and that eLearning and podcast material could be developed in conjunction with the ROCG to improve this.