A qualitative study exploring the value of a catheter passport

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Patient Care
• Health Informatics

Background:

• Patients discharged with urinary catheters often lack adequate self-care information.
• This deficit can lead to significant physical and psychological distress.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of a patient-held catheter passport on patient and nurse experiences.
• To assess how the passport influences the transition from hospital to community care for catheter users.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative research approach.
• Data collection through interviews, focus groups, and questionnaires.
• Thematic analysis of collected data.

Main Results:

• Key themes identified: informing patients and nurses, improving catheter care and self-management, and supporting care transitions.
• The catheter passport was found to address critical information gaps.

Conclusions:

• The catheter passport effectively bridges information deficits, enhancing patient self-care and overall catheter management.
• Integration with ongoing nursing support further optimizes patient adjustment and care quality.