A qualitative study on psychological experience of patients with neurogenic bladder in spinal cord injury undergoing intermittent catheterization

Objective To explore the psychological experience of patients with neurogenic bladder in spinal cord injury undergoing intermittent catheterization and provide references for better implementation of bladder function training. Methods Using the phenomenological method of qualitative research, 12 patients with neurogenic bladder in spinal cord injury in orthopedic department of one hospital in Beijing from July 2016 to October 2016 were surveyed by in-depth interviews. Experience and feelings of patients in the process of catheterization were analyzed. Results Experience and demands were mainly divided into three themes. First, patients undergoing intermittent catheterization had different types of psychological reactions including exclusion and disgust, fear and anger, depression and loneliness, acceptance and customization. Second, different intermittent catheterization effects resulted in different feelings including frustration and happy due to failing and success. Third, patients had expectation of establishing a perfect medical system and coping with support mechanisms of family and society. Conclusions Psychological experience of patients has a process of changing. They behave different psychological feelings with failing or success of catheterization. The doctors and nurses should provide health education and technical guidance as well as psychological counseling for the patients, understand and respect their emotional needs, establish appropriate supporting system and improve their compliance. Key words: Spinal cord injury; Neurogenic bladder; Intermittent catheterization; Qualitative study