Estomaterapeutas que atuam na reabilitação da incontinência urinária: perfil sociodemográfico e campo de atuação

Abstract

Introduction: Urinary incontinence is defined as the involuntary loss of urine. It is a pelvic floor disorder that affects men and women of all ages, with a significant impact on the quality of life of those affected. The stoma enterostomal therapist is a nursing professional, with competence and legal support for the treatment of urinary incontinence is, however there is a scarcity of studies that present the nurse as a protagonist in the care of these patients. Objective: To identify Brazilian enterostomal therapist nurses who work in the rehabilitation and treatment of incontinent patients. Method: quantitative, descriptive study and cross-sectional. Enterostomal therapist nurses who work in the rehabilitation and treatment of incontinent patients were included in this study. The professionals were identified using the snowball or snowball sampling technique. Data collection took place through an online questionnaire of sociodemographic characterization, professional profile, interventions and instruments used in clinical practice and profile of care for incontinent patients assisted. Results: 51 enterostomal therapist nurses participated in the study, with an average age of 44 years, most are women, married, have a single employment relationship, and more than 50% of the sample, in addition to specialization in enterostomal therapy, are masters and/or doctors. professionals, the average income of the participants was R$6,935.71, the Southeast and Northeast are the regions with the highest number of enterostomal therapist nurses working in UIs, 66.7% of the participants are graduates of enterostomal therapy courses at public educational institutions, and 80 .4% of the sample does not act exclusively on UI, but also on stomas and/or injuries. As for the most adopted interventions, the following stood out: behavioral modifications, pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) and clean intermittent catheterization (CIC). More than 90% of the participants use the bladder diary and the anamnesis and physical examination forms in the evaluation of incontinent patients. With reference to the service profile of enterostomal therapist nurses, there was a predominance of women, aged over 40 and post-menopausal phase. Conclusion: enterostomal therapist nurses who work in UI rehabilitation exist in Brazil, although not equally, and are socially and financially recognized.