Development and psychometric evaluation of an expanded urinary catheter self-management scale: A cross-sectional study

AIM

To develop and test the psychometric properties of an expanded catheter self-management scale for patients with in-dwelling urinary catheters.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional validation study. Despite the utility of the original 13-item catheter self-management scale, this instrument did not include bowel management, general hygiene and drainage bag care, which are fundamental skills in urinary catheter self-management to prevent common problems resulting in unnecessary hospital presentations. The expanded catheter self-management scale was developed with 10 additional items to comprehensively assess all five essential aspects of urinary catheter self-management.

METHODS

A total of 101 adult community-dwelling patients living with indwelling urinary catheters were recruited from Western Sydney, Australia. Using exploratory factor analysis with Varimax rotation, the number of factors to be extracted from the expanded 23-item expanded catheter self-management scale was determined using a scree plot. The reliability of the overall scale and subscales was measured using Cronbach's alpha. Convergent validity was assessed using Spearman's correlations between clinical characteristics, overall scale and subscales.

RESULTS

The 23-item expanded catheter self-management scale yielded a 5-factor solution, labelled as: (i) self-monitoring of catheter function, (ii) proactive, help-seeking behaviour function, (iii) bowel self-care function, (iv) hygiene-related catheter site function and (v) drainage bag care function. Cronbach's alpha of the expanded catheter self-management scale indicating all 23 items contributed to the overall alpha value. Convergent validity results showed a negative correlation between the overall expanded catheter self-management scale and catheter-related problems.

CONCLUSION

The 5-factor structure provided a comprehensive assessment of key aspects of urinary catheter self-management essential to reduce the likelihood of catheter-related hospital presentations.

IMPLICATIONS

The expanded catheter self-management scale can be used to assess and monitor effective patient-centred interventions for optimal self-management to prevent catheter-related problems and improve the quality of life of patients.

IMPACT

Many patients start their journey of living with a urinary catheter unexpectedly and are not supported with quality information to care for their catheter. The findings of this study show the correlation between catheter self-management skills and catheter-related problems. The expanded catheter self-management scale (E-CSM) assists with analysing the self-management skills of patients living with a catheter and developing tailored interventions to prevent problems and improve their quality of life. In addition, this screening tool can be included in policies, guidelines, and care plans as a standard for improving catheter management and developing educational resources for patients.

REPORTING METHOD

STROBE checklist was used to report all aspects of this study comprehensively and accurately.

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

Patients living with indwelling urinary catheter and their carers have participated in surveys, interviews and co-designing interventions. This paper reports the psychometric analysis of the expanded catheter self-management scale (E-CSM) used in the patient survey as part of the main study 'Improving Quality of Life of Patients Living with Indwelling Urinary Catheters: IQ-IDC Study' (Alex et al. in Collegian, 29:405-413, 2021). We greatly value our consumers' contributions and continue to communicate the progress of the study to them. Their contributions will be acknowledged in all publications and presentations. In addition, all participants will be provided the option of receiving the interventions and publications generated from this study.

The Quality of Life of Patients Living with a Urinary Catheter and Its Associated Factors: A Cross-Sectional Study in Egypt

BACKGROUND

In Arabic countries, no research has focused on the experience of patients with indwelling urinary catheters. This cross-sectional study is the first to evaluate the catheter-specific quality of life (QoL) of patients living with a urinary catheter in Egypt.

METHODS

This study was conducted from April to September 2017, using a convenience sample of patients from a University Hospital. Data were collected using the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Long-Term Catheter QoL (ICIQ-LTCQoL) instrument, along with a demographic datasheet.

RESULTS

141 were enrolled, with 47.5% inpatients, 52.5% outpatients. A total of 70.9% reported problems with catheter function, and 92.2% reported that the catheter affected their daily lives. Place (inpatient or outpatient) was significantly associated with the total score of the ICIQ-LTCQoL (mean difference (MD) 6.34 (95% CI: 3.0 to 9.73)) and both subscales (catheter function subscale: MD = 4.92 (95% CI: 2.12 to 7.73) and lifestyle impact subscale: MD = 1.44 (95% CI: 0.3 to 2.63)), suggesting that outpatients have poorer QoL than inpatients. Moreover, catheter material was significantly related to the catheter function domain with Silicone Foley Catheter (100% Silicon) users experiencing poorer QoL related to catheter function than those with Latex Foley Catheter (Silicon-coated) (MD 4.43 (95% CI: 0.62 to 8.24). Workers/employees were found to have poorer QoL than those who were retired (MD = 4.94 (95% CI: 0.3 to 9.63)).

CONCLUSION

The results highlight the necessity of assessing function and concern regarding urinary catheter use and its impact on QoL, as well as its determinants. Evidence-based educational programs should be designed to enhance patients' self-care abilities to relieve their sense of distress and enhance their confidence in caring for their catheters.

Life with an Indwelling Urinary Catheter: Experiences from Male Patients Attending the Urology Clinic at a Tertiary Hospital in Northwestern Tanzania-A Qualitative Study

Experiences from patients living with a long-term indwelling urinary catheter (IUC) at home among men attending urology clinics have not been reported. Evidence-based information on such experiences is important for improving nursing care in low- and middle-income countries such as Tanzania. Using a descriptive phenomenological qualitative research design, we observed two main themes: "Adjustments to positive living with a catheter at home", denoting that social interaction and psychological and spiritual support are important to positively live with the catheter, and "The home environment influences negative or positive living", considering intimacy and altered body image to significantly influence the ability to practice sex, leading to wives' self-sacrifice. Respondents experienced difficulties in living with a long-term IUC at home due to a lack of information from healthcare professionals on how to manage their catheters and urine bags. In adjusting to positive or negative living with a catheter at home, respondents had to figure out strategies to minimize psychological and emotional trauma and hasten the adjustment process. A clear guideline or checklist is needed to ensure that all important information is provided by health professionals at the time of discharge and during subsequent visits to patients on how to care for the catheter insertion sites and help them adjust to living with a long-term IUC.

Effectiveness of nurse-targeted education interventions on clinical outcomes for patients with indwelling urinary catheters: A systematic review

OBJECTIVES

To identify subject matter, pedagogical approaches and assess outcomes of interventions implemented to educate nurses in urinary catheterisation care and management.

DESIGN

A systematic review was conducted according to the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) statement.

DATA SOURCES

Databases (CINAHL; MEDLINE; ProQuest; ERIC; Scopus; Cochrane; and APA PsycINFO) were searched using key concepts: education interventions, indwelling urinary catheter and nurses, from inception to July 2021.

REVIEW METHODS

Two researchers searched the databases, whereupon data were extracted using a standardised proforma and were analysed applying an abductive approach. The Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal tool was used to assess the quality of the included studies. Findings were analysed and reported using narrative synthesis.

RESULTS

Out of 1159 studies screened, nine educational intervention studies related to upskilling nurses in catheter management were identified. Subject matter addressed included pathophysiology of the urinary system, clinical indications and management of indwelling catheter and associated complications. Although the subject matter and pedagogical approaches varied, all identified studies reported positive effects in improving participants' knowledge.

CONCLUSIONS

Upskilling nurses and increasing their confidence to deliver patient-centred catheter care practices is an important intervention to improve outcomes for patients with long-term indwelling urinary catheters. However, actively engaging nurses who provide direct patient care is essential, in planning and implementing targeted educational interventions specific to learning needs. This review has identified a gap in the educational interventions for nurses, in better supporting the psychosocial needs of patients living with indwelling catheter. Codesigning educational interventions with nurses that are tailored to their contextual learning needs is likely to enhance behaviour change and improve current practice.

The impact of educational interventions for patients living with indwelling urinary catheters: A scoping review

Aim: To explore the impact of educational interventions for patients living with indwelling urinary catheters. Methods: Systematic scoping review in accordance with PRISMA guidelines, guided by Cochrane methodology, quality appraisal using Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine (CEBM) Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI), GRADE criteria and Quality Improvement Minimum Quality Criteria Set Version 1.0 (QI-MQCS V 1.0) tools. Studies (n = 446) were retrieved from CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Scopus and Medline from 2000 to 2020. Results: A total of 15 primary research studies were included in the narrative thematic synthesis, nine were from the USA, two from Australia, two from the UK, one from Italy and one from Turkey. These 15 studies were published between 2003 and 2019 and accounted for 19918 patients with an age range 15-99 years. Study design varied; there were 11 quantitative and 4 qualitative studies. Studies were of low-moderate quality. A total of four themes were identified; (i) information needs of patients living with long-term catheters; (ii) core learning content and educational approaches; (iii) feasibility and effectiveness of educational interventions to reduce complications and improve quality of life; and (iv) common outcome measures. Conclusion: The dissemination of information and the delivery of urinary catheter education to patients is inadequate. Core components of educational interventions should address fluid intake, bowel management, hygiene and self-monitoring/management, including adverse events. There is a need for future robust trials of educational and self-management interventions to improve the quality of life of patients living with indwelling urinary catheters in the community. Impact: This review addressed the educational needs of patients living with indwelling urinary catheters and the impact of educational interventions. Despite the heterogeneity in educational interventions, all studies included in this review reported the specific approach undertaken was effective in minimising catheter-associated complications and improving the quality of life of patients.

Quality of life and body image of patients with urinary disorders

OBJECTIVE

to assess the quality of life and body image of men with difficulty urinating and indwelling urinary catheter users, integrating the socio-demographic, economic and morbidity variables.

METHOD

a cross-sectional analytical study with 64 male patients with urinary problems. Three questionnaires were used for data collection: one containing sociodemographic, economic and morbid data, the Medical Outcome Study 36-item short-form health survey to analyze quality of life, and the Body Dysmorphic Examination, which assesses body image. T-test, Mann-Whitney, Pearson, Spearman, Linear Regression and Stepwise were used.

RESULTS

quality of life and body image were compromised in both groups, affecting emotional aspects, with a high degree of body dissatisfaction and altered physical and social adversity.

CONCLUSION

changes in patients' quality of life and body image were observed, confirming the need for improvement in care.

Psychometric properties of the Arabic version of the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire on Long-Term Catheter Quality of Life

AIM

To translate the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire (ICIQ) Long-Term Catheter Quality of Life (LTCqol) questionnaire (ICIQ-LTCqol) from English to Arabic and evaluate its psychometric properties.

BACKGROUND

Currently, no tool for Arabic-speaking patients is available to measure the quality of life in patients using long-term urinary catheters.

DESIGN

Translation and psychometric assessment of questionnaire.

METHODS

The internal consistency and construct validity of the translated Arabic version of the ICIQ-LTCqol were evaluated in a convenience sample of 141 participants recruited from a hospital in Egypt from April to September 2017. Test-retest reliability was assessed for a sample of 15 participants who completed this version at two time points. Construct validity was assessed by factor analysis.

RESULTS

The translated Arabic version of the ICIQ-LTCqol showed satisfactory test-retest reliability and internal consistency, with the Cronbach α = .75. Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the same two factors ("catheter function" and "lifestyle") structure as found in the English version of the tool supporting the construct validity of the translated questionnaire.

CONCLUSION

This original and significant study allows, for the first time, researchers and clinicians working with Arabic-speaking patients, the opportunity to evaluate the quality of life in long-term urinary catheter users.

What do patients say about their experience with urinary catheters and peripherally inserted central catheters?

BACKGROUND

Little is known about the patient experience with urinary catheters or peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs). We sought to better understand patient perspectives on having a urinary catheter or a PICC by reviewing open-ended comments made by patients about having either of these 2 devices.

METHODS

As part of a larger study, we asked patients about certain catheter-related complications at the time of catheter placement and on days 14, 30, and 70 (PICCs only). In this larger project, we performed a structured assessment that included an open-ended question about other comments (initial interview) or problems (follow-up interview) associated with the device. For the current study, we conducted a descriptive analysis of these open-ended comments, classifying them as positive, negative, or neutral.

RESULTS

Positive comments about urinary catheters accounted for 9 of 147 comments (6%), whereas positive comments about PICCs accounted for 10 of 100 comments (10%). Positive comments for both catheter types were mostly related to convenience. More than 80% of comments about both types of devices were negative and fell into the following areas: catheter malfunction; pain, irritation, or discomfort; interference with activities of daily living; provider error; and other.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings underscore the need to optimize the patient experience with placement, ongoing use, and removal of urinary catheters and PICCs.

Supporting patients with long-term catheterisation to reduce risk of catheter-associated urinary tract infection

More than 90 000 of the UK adult population are estimated to have a urinary catheter, with 24% likely to develop symptoms of catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI). The consequences of having a CAUTI are reduced quality of life, risk of hospitalisation and increased mortality. The authors undertook a literature review of primary research studies to identify how nurses could support patients to maintain effective catheter care to reduce the risk of CAUTI. Four themes emerged: education, knowledge, empowerment and communication. The authors therefore conclude that consistent knowledge, clear communication and treating patients as partners in the decision-making process can help build trust and allow empower patients. This will enable patients to make safe and healthy decisions about their catheter, particularly with regard to personal hygiene and optimal fluid intake, to reducing the risk of CAUTI.