World Continence Week
The World Federation of Incontinence Patients (WFIP) is a federation of national patient organisations. Its aim is to create global visibility for incontinence and pelvic floor dysfunction and remove any associated stigma and taboos.
The Federation organises World Continence Week, this year running from 17-23 June. It’s a global initiative to raise awareness of bladder weakness, pelvic pain and other debilitating conditions.
We’ll look at how two of its member organisations draw attention to apps to help.
Australian patient group creates digital support
The Continence Foundation of Australia is celebrating its 30th anniversary. Their vision is of an Australian community “free from the stigma and restrictions of incontinence.” They offer support materials for all types of people with incontinence, including a wide range of conditions, languages and ages. For example, they host a website aimed at young people with incontinence, “Incontinence in Confidence”, backed up by a helpline.
It’s just part of a digital offering ranging from websites to apps. It developed a site on pelvic floor exercises (pelvicfloorfirst.org.au), and then turned this into an app. The Pelvic Floor First app has customised workouts for people of all fitness levels and pelvic floor strength. It aims to enable people to carry out the exercises safely and strengthen their pelvic floor.
The Foundation has benefitted from its links with the Australian government’s National Continence Program which has helped to fund some of their digital support. They also offer a free app to help women look after their pelvic floor, bladder and bowel during pregnancy.
UK patient charity reviews
At myhealthapps.net, we believe that patient groups are best placed to draw people’s attention to the most relevant and useful apps. Another WFIP member organisation, Bladder Health UK, reviews useful resources on their website, including apps.
It highlights the Squeezy app, which is used in the UK National Health Service (NHS
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