A mobile telehealth program for behavioral treatment of urinary incontinence in women Veterans

Qualitative evaluation of MyHealth e Bladder

Bibliographic Data

ID20393526
AuthorsKathryn L Burgio (0000-0003-3357-2593, Department of Veterans Affairs, Birmingham/Atlanta Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Birmingham, AL, USA, and Atlanta, GA, USA, corresponding author), Katharina Echt (0000-0002-3805-5889, Department of Veterans Affairs, Birmingham/Atlanta Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Birmingham, AL, USA, and Atlanta, GA, USA), Alayne D Markland (0000-0002-6567-6744, Department of Veterans Affairs, Birmingham/Atlanta Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Birmingham, AL, USA, and Atlanta, GA, USA), Ekene Enemchukwu (0000-0001-6224-6207, Department of Urology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA), Beverly Rosa Williams (0000-0003-4535-9781, Department of Veterans Affairs, Birmingham/Atlanta Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Birmingham, AL, USA, and Atlanta, GA, USA)
Year2024
Volume36
Issue6
Pages475-491
Publication date2024-11-01
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Women & Aging (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0895-2841 • E-ISSN: 1540-7322
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/08952841.2024.2401716
PMID39331496
OpenAlexW4402918802
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited34

Women Veterans constitute a distinctive cohort whose exposure to military service can contribute to development of bladder conditions, such as urinary incontinence (UI), as they age. Behavioral therapies are recommended as first-line treatment for incontinence, yet many VA Medical Centers do not have staff trained to administer them. The purpose of this research study was to conduct a qualitative program evaluation of MyHealtheBladder, a mobile telehealth version of an evidence-based eight‐week behavioral treatment program designed for women Veterans with incontinence. MyHealtheBladder uses mobile telehealth technology to teach pelvic floor muscle exercises, bladder control strategies, fluid management, risk factor reduction, and self‐monitoring. Eighteen women Veterans who completed a pilot study of MyHealtheBladder participated in semi-structured telephone interviews exploring their experience with the program. A directed content analysis was conducted of the transcribed interview data. Participants described ease of accessing MyHealtheBladder using smart phones and other mobile devices, emphasizing the flexibility of using the program at home, work, or while traveling. Most participants described program content as understandable, relevant, and easy to follow. They discussed how the program increased knowledge of UI, promoted consistency in practicing behavioral therapy, strengthened pelvic floor muscles, reduced urine leakage, and improved psychosocial wellbeing. Participants uniformly endorsed the program and recommended it for other women Veterans, as well as for those in active duty to prevent or treat UI earlier in the life course

Behavioral therapy · Gynecology · Health care · Physical therapy · Qualitative research · Sociology · Telehealth · Telemedicine · Urinary incontinence · Clinical Psychology · Health and Wellbeing Research · Medicine · Pelvic floor disorders treatments · Pressure Ulcer Prevention and Management · Gerontology · Urology

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