The second edition of the ‘Nocturnal Enuresis Resource Kit’ ahead of World Bedwetting Day on Tuesday (May 29) addresses the need for children to have timely access to appropriate healthcare for the management of urinary incontinence.
The report from the Agency for Clinical Innovation, which aims to improve the management and health outcomes for children and young people living with urinary incontinence, focuses on delayed access to specialist care post-diagnosis and insufficient information available to young people and their families.
The agency says the kit, designed to help fill this void, is developed by experts as a resource for healthcare professionals, patients and carers involved in the treatment journey of nocturnal enuresis.
Although the condition is commonly overlooked as a simple condition that a child will eventually outgrow, the agency says a growing body of evidence suggests nocturnal enuresis is a complex disorder involving several factors that can, and should, be treated.
The kit’s co-authors say pharmacists can help their customers manage childhood nocturnal enuresis through:
- Acknowledging that bedwetting is a common problem in children, and encouraging families to seek professional help from a health professionals about this problem – as currently only one-third of children with bedwetting seek professional help.
- Providing information pamphlets about bedwetting for families (eg, pharmacists may utilise the handouts in the kit, refer patients to bedwetting pamphlets from the Continence Foundation of Australia and to the National Continence Helpline for advice and referral information).
- When patients are prescribed medication, explaining to families how to use medications for treating bedwetting, how the medication works, its potential side-effects, etc.
- Giving good advice about managing constipation and the use of laxatives.
Download the kit at www.neresourcekit.com.au.
