Development of an Internet Self-Management Intervention for Intermittent Urinary Catheter Users with Spinal Cord Injury

Comput Inform Nurs, 2015 · DOI: 10.1097/CIN.0000000000000182 · Published: November 1, 2015

Spinal Cord Injury Patient Experience Nursing

Simple Explanation

This paper describes the creation and initial testing of a website designed to help people with spinal cord injuries who use intermittent catheters to manage their bladder function more effectively. The website includes tools like an interactive bladder diary, product information, nurse consultations via phone, and a forum for users to connect. Feedback from a small group of users was used to improve the website before a larger study is conducted.

Study Duration

7 Months

Participants

4 adults with spinal cord injury

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
The pre-testing participants provided valuable feedback that led to improvements in the website's content, interactivity, and usability.
2
Participants found the enrollment process easy to navigate and appreciated the convenience of completing tasks from home.
3
The study nurses were able to effectively conduct the intervention phone calls using the website simultaneously with the participants.

Research Summary

This paper reports on the development of a web-based self-management intervention for intermittent urinary catheter users with spinal cord injury and the pretesting with four adults with spinal cord injury living in the community. Suggestions from the pretesting participants were used to revise the website applications prior to the next stage of research (a feasibility study). Development and pre-testing this new intervention provided the preliminary data to revise the intervention for the next stage, i.e., the pilot study with 30 people.

Practical Implications

Improved Self-Management

The web-based intervention has the potential to improve self-management skills among intermittent catheter users with spinal cord injuries, leading to better bladder health and quality of life.

Enhanced Accessibility

The online format makes self-management resources more accessible to individuals with limited mobility, allowing them to participate in the program from the comfort of their own homes.

Informed Intervention Design

The detailed account of the website development process and pre-testing results can inform the design of similar web-based interventions for other health conditions.

Study Limitations

1
The small sample size (N=4) limits the generalizability of the findings.
2
The pretesting sample did not permit full evaluation of some components of the intervention, such as the forum.
3
The measures were designed by the research team and may not be fully validated.

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