Intermittent self-catheterization service provision: perspectives of people with spinal cord injury

Understanding the challenges faced by men learning to live with clean intermittent self-catheterisation

Clean intermittent self-catheterisation (CISC) is considered the preferred option to an indwelling catheter for emptying the bladder in people with a range of voiding dysfunctions. CISC has a lower risk of complications and urinary tract infections. This narrative review of previous qualitative research explores the quality-of-life impacts and highlights the challenges that men face. It will provide nurses who teach CISC with some useful insights into the male experience and the issues of concordance and adherence. This will help to better inform and guide clinical practice in this specialist area of nursing practice.

Social activity and relationship changes experienced by people with bowel and bladder dysfunction following spinal cord injury

STUDY DESIGN

Exploratory qualitative.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to describe the experiences of bowel and bladder dysfunction on social activities and relationships in people with spinal cord injury living in the community.

SETTING

People living with spinal cord injury experiencing bowel and bladder dysfunction.

METHODS

Participants were recruited through the Australian Quadriplegic Association Victoria. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were undertaken with purposively selected participants to ensure representation of age, gender, spinal cord injury level and compensation status. A thematic analysis was performed to interpret patient experiences.

RESULTS

Twenty-two participants took part in the study. Bladder and bowel dysfunction altered relationships because of issues with intimacy, strained partner relationships and role changes for family and friends. A lack of understanding from friends about bladder and bowel dysfunction caused frustration, as this impairment was often responsible for variable attendance at social activities. Issues with the number, location, access and cleanliness of bathrooms in public areas and in private residences negatively affected social engagement. Social activities were moderated by illness, such as urinary tract infections, rigid and unreliable bowel routines, stress and anxiety about incontinence and managing the public environment, and due to continuous changes in plans related to bowel and bladder issues. Social support and adaptation fostered participation in social activities.

CONCLUSION

Tension exists between managing bowel and bladder dysfunction and the desire to participate in social activities. Multiple intersecting factors negatively affected the social relationships and activities of people with spinal cord injury and bowel and bladder dysfunction.

The female experience of ISC with a silicone catheter

Intermittent self-catheterisation (ISC) is a safe and effective treatment in the management of neuropathic bladder, voiding dysfunction and urinary incontinence in women. ISC has been shown to improve quality of life when used appropriately. It provides freedom for individuals who require bladder drainage as they can choose where and when to catheterise to empty the bladder. ISC requires minimum equipment, is a more discreet solution than an indwelling catheter and is relatively easy to teach in one patient visit. There are a range of different ISC catheters available on prescription. Many have been designed specifically for women and patient choice regarding product selection is an important consideration. This article describes a UK patient-satisfaction survey evaluating the female patient's perspective of learning ISC using a silicone intermittent catheter called HydroSil Go^™ that is manufactured by C.R. Bard, Inc.

The male experience of ISC with a silicone catheter

Since its introduction in the 1970s, intermittent self-catheterisation (ISC) has become more common and should be considered the method of choice for draining retained urine. The realisation for male patients that they require catheterisation can be associated with a significant physical and psychological burden (Shaw and Logan, 2013). This article describes a UK multi-centre patient satisfaction survey evaluating the features of a male ISC silicone catheter. The survey was aimed at determining patient preferences and perceptions of learning ISC with the intermittent catheter to evaluate if a silicone catheter is acceptable and user friendly. This information is intended to be used to expand the knowledge base around catheter selection and help guide nurses who offer a choice of catheters when teaching ISC to patients.

Psychological coping with intermittent self-catheterisation (ISC) in people with spinal injury: a qualitative study

BACKGROUND

Management of bladder function is important in rehabilitation of spinal injury. Failure to comply with bladder management techniques, such as intermittent catheterisation, can have long-term consequences leading to renal failure. It is important, therefore, that spinal injured people adapt to the therapy at an early stage, but there is little research aimed at exploring patient experiences of ISC.

OBJECTIVES

This study explores the experiences of patients who have a spinal cord injury and who carry out ISC in order to identify psychological coping factors that might affect therapy adherence.

DESIGN

A qualitative study using a Grounded Theory framework involving individual interviews.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

There were 15 participants (11 men and 4 women), median age 52 years (range 24-68) who were discharged from spinal rehabilitation, living in the community and using ISC. The sample was recruited from the patient lists of a tertiary spinal injury unit and a Specialist Continence Service.

METHODS

In-depth interviews were carried out in participants' own homes by a trained interviewer. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and analysis carried out using NUD*IST6 software.

RESULTS

A core category of 'normalisation' was identified and the causes and consequences related to this category are reported. Categories of 'independence' and 'control' were closely related to, and were interdependent with, 'normalisation'. Participants were relieved of worry when they could exert control over their bladder function, and a feeling of normalisation helped them to maintain the integrity of their self-image. The ultimate outcome was either adaptation or maladaptation. Adaptation was dependent on positive acceptance of intermittent catheterisation and the need for good bladder management at the outset, whereas maladaptation was a result of avoidance and denial.

CONCLUSIONS

Adherence to ISC is related to early psychological coping strategies of active acceptance rather than denial and avoidance in relation to bladder management. It is important to support positive appraisals of ISC, particularly from the patient perspective, which suggest that it is the first step to independence and that it also provides normalisation and control of bladder function. ISC can contribute to a good quality of life, dignity, privacy and self-esteem.