The authors evaluated the effectiveness of a combined primary care physician education and
public awareness campaign about urinary incontinence. The campaign was designed to (a) trig
ger help-seeking behavior in older adults with urine leakage problems and (b) encourage pri
mary care providers to offer appropriate treatment for urinary incontinence (UI). Outcome
measures included datafrom helpline callers and physician surveys before and after the two in
terventions. Most callers who later sought care turned to their primary care physician. The me
dian estimated number of patients presenting with UI in primary care doctor's offices changed
from 9 per month to 11 per month, a change that was not statistically significant. Physicians'op
timism for the potential gains from incontinence treatment increased.
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