Screening children with myelodysplasia for readiness to learn self-catheterization

The purpose of this research study was to develop and test a screening tool to determine the readiness of children with myelodysplasia to self-catheterize. The tool was developed after identifying requisite skills for self-catheterization. Twenty-five clients with myelodysplasia who required intermittent catheterization for bladder management--all under 18 years of age--were screened using the tool. Based on their previously demonstrated ability to self-catheterize, the children were divided into two groups: those who did self-catheterize and those who did not. The 18 children who self-catheterized all passed each item on the screening tool. The 7 children who did not self-catheterize failed one or more items on the screening tool. Based on this small sample, the tool offers a simple, safe way to judge readiness to learn self-catheterization.