Enuresis: a contrast of attitudes of parents and physicians
Shelov, S.P.; Gundy, J.; Weiss, J.C.; McIntire, M.S.; Olness, K.; Staub, H.P.; Jones, D.J.; Haque, M.; Ellerstein, N.S.; Heagarty, M.C.; Starfield, B.
Pediatrics 67(5): 707-710
1981
ISSN/ISBN: 0031-4005 PMID: 7255000 Document Number: 182321
Questionnaires were used to survey 1,435 parents and 446 physicians in order to determine and compare attitudes and beliefs about enuresis. Although both groups thought that bed-wetting is a maturational problem, the parent group thought emotional causes were important and were less likely to accept small bladder size as an etiology. Parents thought that children should be dry at a much younger age than did the physicians (2.75 vs 5.13 years, respectively). Only 63% of parents thought that medical intervention is a good way to deal with a child's bed-wetting, yet 87% of the physicians suggested medical evaluation. A comparison of the various methods used to stop bed-wetting indicated that parents use waking the child, reassurance and talking with the child, restricting fluids, and punishment significantly more often than physicians. Although many physicians prescribe medication, only 6.6% of the parents thought that medicines are a "very good way" to treat enuresis. When developing a treatment plan for a child with enuresis, the physician should recognize the wide differences between parental and physician attitudes toward this common problem of childhood.