Standardized intermittent catheterisation education improves catheterisation compliance in individuals with spinal cord injury

Perceived usefulness of the nurse-patient therapeutic relationship in the rehabilitation journey of people with urinary incontinence: A mixed-method study

INTRODUCTION

Despite various studies on the impact of incontinence on patients' lives, the existing literature has not investigated the contribution of nursing care during rehabilitation in terms of quality of life. Fewer data, therefore, exist on the characteristics and perceived impact of the therapeutic relationship as part of the rehabilitation program.

AIMS

To investigate the characteristics of the nurse-patient therapeutic relationship and its impact throughout the rehabilitation program; to describe the levels of patient burden on everyday activities.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A monocentric, retrospective, multimethod descriptive study was conducted in the nurse-led continence clinic of a major teaching hospital in Northern Italy. A phenomenological approach with semistructured interviews was adopted after 6 weeks of rehabilitation, following the method of phenomenological enquiry by Giorgi. The short form 12 questionnaire was administered upon admission of patients to the clinic, after 6 weeks, and during the last consultation to investigate the impact of urinary incontinence (UI) on daily activities and physical and psychological quality of life.

RESULTS

Ninety-one adult patients of both genders presenting for nonneurogenic nonpostpartum UI were consecutively enrolled. Physical scores (PCS-12) and MCS-12 scores significantly increased over time. Psychological scores showed great variability upon admission, which was reduced halfway through the rehabilitation program. The thematic analysis highlighted four categories based on data saturation: the impact of UI on daily activities, strategies to face the problem, feelings, and the role of nurses.

CONCLUSIONS

This mixed-method investigation suggests the importance of therapeutic nursing relationships, clinical expertise, and rehabilitative skills. Quality of life is arguably related to the positive results of the rehabilitation program but also to the environment, patients perceive in terms of support, honesty, and trust.

Development and Validation of an Age-Appropriate Website for Children Requiring Clean Intermittent Catheterization

PURPOSE

This study describes the development and validation of an age-appropriate website for preschool children who require clean intermittent catheterization (CIC).

METHODS

An age-appropriate website was developed at an academic medical center in Brazil and included child-friendly characters, details of the urinary system anatomy and physiology, hand-washing, and the CIC procedure. Content was validated by physicians, nurses, and health informatics professionals. Face validity was assessed by parents.

FINDINGS

Content and face validity indices were 0.94 and 0.92, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The free website (www.doutorbexiga.com.br) was successfully validated and considered suitable and user-friendly for the health education of children requiring CIC.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Physicians and nurses can use the website as a model for developing similar materials. The website can be a resource for health professionals and parents of children with spinal cord injury or other neurological disorders to encourage children to learn about CIC through animated educational materials.

Adult Neurogenic Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction and Intermittent Catheterisation in a Community Setting: Risk Factors Model for Urinary Tract Infections

A risk factor model for urinary tract infections in patients with adult neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction performing clean intermittent catheterisation was developed; it consists of four domains, namely, (1) general (systemic) conditions in the patient, (2) individual urinary tract conditions in the patient, (3) routine aspects related to the patient, and (4) factors related to intermittent catheters per se. The conceptual model primarily concerns patients with spinal cord injury, spina bifida, multiple sclerosis, or cauda equina where intermittent catheterisation is a normal part of the bladder management. On basis of several literature searches and author consensus in case of lacking evidence, the model intends to provide an overview of the risk factors involved in urinary tract infections, with specific emphasis to describe those that in daily practice can be handled and modified by the clinician and so come to the benefit of the individual catheter user in terms of fewer urinary tract infections.