CONfidence: developing an app to promote bladder and bowel health

Cotterill, Nikki

Author Nikki Cotterill is professor of nursing in continence care at the Centre for Health and Clinical Research, University of the West of England, Bristol.

Nursing Times 118(4):p 26-27, April 2022.

In this article…

Creating an app to help people with bowel and bladder incontinence symptoms
Why it is important to engage with patients and the public on these issues
How healthcare teams are working to embed the app with services

Nursing Times Awards

This initiative won the Continence Promotion and Care category in the 2021 Nursing Times Awards.

To find out more about the NT Awards go to awards.nursingtimes.net

Abstract

Through a series of events with healthcare staff, patients and members of the public in Bristol, we identified a need for more easily accessible information for bowel and bladder incontinence. This was particularly important for the many people who do not seek help as they are embarrassed or believe nothing can be done. In 2020 we developed the CONfidence app. This was a collaboration of health professionals, charities, patients and the public. It was launched in 2021 to positive feedback and is already being embedded in local pathways. Further evaluation is being done, as well as work to encourage uptake by services and raise public awareness.