Research priorities for faecal incontinence in adults: a James Lind Alliance priority setting partnership
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Aim
Faecal incontinence (FI) is common, yet clinical guidelines rely on low-quality evidence or expert opinion. A high proportion of research is focused on areas that may not be considered a priority by patients or clinicians. This project aimed to identify the top 10 research priorities for FI in adults in equal collaboration with patients, carers and healthcare professionals in a James Lind Alliance priority setting partnership (PSP).
Methods
This PSP followed established methodology supported by a multidisciplinary steering group including those with lived experience of FI. Evidence uncertainties were gathered through a survey with free-text responses, summarised in indicative summary questions and prioritised in a second survey. An independently facilitated priority setting workshop used a nominal group technique to reach consensus on the order of research priorities, with a focus on the top 10. At all stages the views of healthcare professionals and individuals with a lived experience of FI were considered equally.
Results
After the initial survey, 512 respondents submitted 991 evidence uncertainties. These produced 54 indicative summary questions. In the second survey, 373 respondents generated a shortlist of 26 questions. Finally, the top 10 research priorities were determined by consensus at a face-to-face workshop and include unanswered questions concerning prevention, investigation, education, self-management and treatment of FI.
Conclusion
This PSP has identified a comprehensive list of top research priorities, including items of importance to both healthcare professionals and individuals with a lived experience of FI. Researchers and funders should use these priorities to inform future work.
Faecal incontinence (FI) is common, yet clinical guidelines rely on low-quality evidence or expert opinion. A high proportion of research is focused on areas that may not be considered a priority by patients or clinicians. This project aimed to identify the top 10 research priorities for FI in adults in equal collaboration with patients, carers and healthcare professionals in a James Lind Alliance priority setting partnership (PSP).
Methods
This PSP followed established methodology supported by a multidisciplinary steering group including those with lived experience of FI. Evidence uncertainties were gathered through a survey with free-text responses, summarised in indicative summary questions and prioritised in a second survey. An independently facilitated priority setting workshop used a nominal group technique to reach consensus on the order of research priorities, with a focus on the top 10. At all stages the views of healthcare professionals and individuals with a lived experience of FI were considered equally.
Results
After the initial survey, 512 respondents submitted 991 evidence uncertainties. These produced 54 indicative summary questions. In the second survey, 373 respondents generated a shortlist of 26 questions. Finally, the top 10 research priorities were determined by consensus at a face-to-face workshop and include unanswered questions concerning prevention, investigation, education, self-management and treatment of FI.
Conclusion
This PSP has identified a comprehensive list of top research priorities, including items of importance to both healthcare professionals and individuals with a lived experience of FI. Researchers and funders should use these priorities to inform future work.
Date Issued
2025-07-01
Date Acceptance
2025-06-02
Citation
Colorectal Disease, 2025, 27 (7)
ISSN
1462-8910
Publisher
Wiley
Journal / Book Title
Colorectal Disease
Volume
27
Issue
7
Copyright Statement
© 2025 The Author(s). Colorectal Disease published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
License URL
Identifier
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40641035
Subjects
faecal incontinence
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
James Lind Alliance
Life Sciences & Biomedicine
research
research priorities
research prioritisation
Science & Technology
Surgery
Publication Status
Published
Coverage Spatial
England
Article Number
e70154
Date Publish Online
2025-07-10