Date of Award
1-1-2008
Document Type
Thesis
Publisher
Edith Cowan University
Degree Name
Master of Nursing
School
School of Nursing, Midwifery and Postgraduate Medicine
Faculty
Faculty of Computing, Health and Science
Abstract
Self-intermittent catheterisation (SIMC) is one of the most common and safest methods of bladder emptying in people with spinal cord injury (SCI). There is a large amount of literature relating to the biomedical aspects of SIMC, such as infection rates and renal complications. There is however, very little information about how people actually experience SIMC and its effect on their daily lives. Through a series of semi-structured interviews this study describes the lived experience of eight men with spinal cord injuries who perform self-intermittent catheterisation to empty their bladder. The study uses Husserlian phenomenology and Colaizzi's method to analyse data gathered through the interviews. Clusters of similar themes were extracted from the transcribed interviews and reduced into six theme categories. The data showed that SIMC has an effect on almost all aspects of a person's life including work and social lives, their personal relationships and body esteem, even what they drink and how they sleep. The themes are discussed and relevant literature provides a legitimate basis for the issues that arose for participants. New knowledge is detailed and there are recommendations for changes in practice and suggestions for further research.
Recommended Citation
Bakes, B. J. (2008). The lived experience of self-intermittent catheterisation in people with spinal cord injury. Edith Cowan University. Retrieved from https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/204