Nurse survey on the health awareness of male urology patients

Health awareness of male urology patients and any barriers you face in supporting them

About the survey

The survey forms part of The Urology Foundation's activities for our annual Urology Awareness Month. This year, the theme of the month is 'Men’s Urology Health: Myths & Legends'.

The Urology Foundation has developed and is running this survey and will use the results to support our Urology Awareness Month campaign. The survey has been kindly supported by Coloplast.

Male Urology Patient Health Literacy

We are all aware that men’s health outcomes have been a source of concern for many years. Many factors contribute to this issue, including:

Lack of contact with primary care
Men attend GP Surgeries at least a third less than women during their working years contributing to a reduction in health awareness.
No defined men’s specific health screening (until AAA at age 65+)
Health initiatives traditionally having a female focus and not ‘reaching men’
Deeply embedded ‘ societal norms’ of not wishing to appear ‘weak’
Following the information gleaned from male relatives and friends

However, things are changing. Greater awareness is being raised, helped by the charity sector and movements such as Movember, which have been incredibly effective in male-specific health messaging. However, most advocates in the male health space agree that more needs to be done.

Thank you for taking the time to think about this area of your practice.

Question Title

* 1. How well do you think your average male patients understand their urology health?

No understanding

Little understanding

Moderate understanding

Good understanding

Excellent understanding

Question Title

* 2. How many of your male urology patients do you believe waited too long before seeing a healthcare professional about their symptoms?

Very few (0-20%)

A few (21-40%)

Around half (41-60%)

A majority (61-80%)

Nearly all (81-100%)

Question Title

* 3. Which of the following myths do you encounter most often among your male patients? (Select all that apply)

‘I thought getting up at night several times to urinate was part of normal ageing’

‘I thought prostate issues would always mean cancer’

'I believed that there would be no treatment for my urinary leakage and didn't tell anybody’

‘I thought only older people used catheters’

‘I thought only people in hospitals used catheters, I didn’t realise people self-catheterise at home'

‘I was under the impression that my GP would call me in to have a prostate check’

'I thought only women get UTIs’

‘I only had blood in urine once and thought that was OK as it didn't happen again’

‘I thought that I had to put up with my erection problems’

‘I had no idea that cancer of the penis existed’

'I thought testicular cancer only affected men in their 20’s and never thought to check my testicles’

‘I believed my chronic back pain was due to wear and tear’

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 4. Do you think common myths and misunderstandings about male urology health affect patient outcomes?

Yes

Unsure

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* 5. What do you think surprises men the most in urology health? (Select all that apply)

Men get UTIs

Men have problems with the pelvic floor – strengthening their pelvic floor is good for them

Men have a pelvic floor

Men go through hormonal changes

My male patients are not surprised about their urology health

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 6. What worries men the most about urology health? (Select all that apply)

Incontinence

Erectile dysfunction (ED)

Cancer

Catheter use

Changes to the appearance or function of their genitals

Urology examinations (e.g. prostate checks)

My male patients don’t seem to have worries about their urology health

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 7. What one change would make the biggest positive impact for your continuing education in order to benefit your patients?

I have access to more training and education that I can do in my own time.

I have access to more education and training during my working time.

I have access to more educational resources to give out to patients and the protected time to create them.

My department establishes a clearer process for educational support, with management commitment to facilitate time away from work, reduce the need for self-funded education, and work in collaboration with educational funds and industry partners

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 8. What barriers do you face in accessing training and education related to urology?

Process for applying for grants for training too lengthy and difficult to complete

Insufficient resources

Insufficient time in my working day

Limited availability of training programs

Financial constraints

Other (please specify)