An issue but of varying impact : a descriptive study of hip surgery patients’ experiences of bladder emptying and urinary catheterisation

• Background: The capacity of bladder emptying in connection with hip surgery is affected by pain, medication and confinement to bed. In connection with such surgery urinary catheterisation is often performed, either intermittent or indwelling. Hip surgery patients' experiences of urinary catheterisation and urination have not been studied before.Objectives: The aim of the study was to describe patients' experiences of bladder emptying and urinary catheterisation in connection with hip surgery.Design: A qualitative study with descriptive design was conducted among hip surgery patients.Setting: The study was carried out at an orthopaedic department at a university hospital in Sweden.Participants: Purposive sample of 30 hip surgery patients, 17 with fractures and 13 with osteoarthritis.Method: Face-to-face interviews were conducted and analysed with inductive qualitative content analysis.Results: The main category "An issue but of varying impact" illustrated the patients' experiences of bladder emptying and urinary catheterisation. The findings are reported under five generic categories: ability to urinate, catheter is convenient, bothersome bladder emptying, intrusion upon dignity and concern about complications. Irrespectively of whether the patients were able to urinate or were catheterised, bladder emptying was not as usual. It was described as uncomplicated and experienced as being positive if the patients were able to urinate by themselves or when catheterisation was experienced as convenient. Some patients did not want to be catheterised, approving it only reluctantly. Independently of the method for bladder emptying, the patients in our study would choose the same method next time.Conclusions: The patients undergoing hip surgery seem to experience bladder emptying as an issue but of varying impact. Both bladder emptying through micturition and bladder emptying through catheterisation are described in positive as well as negative terms.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Omvårdnad (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Nursing (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Bladder emptying

Hip arthroplasty

Hip fractures

Nursing

Patient experiences

Qualitative research

Urinary catheterization

Vårdvetenskap

Nursing Science

Publikations- och innehållstyp

vet (ämneskategori)

ovr (ämneskategori)