Intermittent self-catheterisation: a person-centred approach

The decision to start intermittent self-catheterisation (ISC) is rarely an easy one for patients. Urology nurses can provide them with the clinical rationale and the goal of an appropriate regimen, but, for almost every patient, the physical and psychological hurdles to reach that goal can be daunting and multifarious. A key role of the nurse is to equip the patient with the correct tools to overcome these difficulties and to build a therapeutic relationship that can support them to integrate ISC into their daily life. This article aims to show how this relationship can be built, with the focus on exploring the individual needs of each patient and matching them to appropriate ISC products and techniques. For the purpose of this article ISC regimens relate to the management of urinary retention.

Some patients who are required to start ISC are already aware of the significant symptomatic impact of their urinary retention on their daily activities. These patients may be struggling with urinary leakage, feelings of discomfort and voiding difficulty. In this situation, the introduction of the concept of ISC may be somewhat welcome, although still alarming. It is easy to see how troublesome symptoms of post-void urinary retention may be easily alleviated by eliminating the cause.