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Evaluation of Biomaterials for Bladder Augmentation using Cystometric Analyses in Various Rodent Models
Published on: August 9, 2012
'It is what it is': mothers' experiences of providing bladder and bowel care to their daughters living with
Sarah Combes1, Sue Woodward2, Christine Norton3
1RN, Doctoral Student, Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery and Palliative Care, King's College London; St Christopher's Hospice, London, UK.
Background:
Informal carers (carers) support palliative patients to live at home. Most palliative patients require bladder and bowel care (B&BC) at some point, but there is limited evidence about carers providing B&BC and how best to support them.
Aim:
To explore carers' experiences of providing B&BC to life-limited young adults.
Methods:
Interpretative phenomenological analysis of five interviews with purposively selected carers.
Results:
One overarching theme, 'It is what it is', and three superordinate themes ('Whatever my daughter needs', 'Mum knows best', and 'Coping with caring') emerged. While B&BC could be challenging at times, it was not a major concern. Instead it engendered closeness and opportunities for carers to provide better care than they felt professionals could.
Conclusions:
This study informs how professionals should understand the support carers offer. Professionals should ensure that carer/patient dyads who wish to manage B&BC are supported to do so, and that their support needs are regularly assessed.
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An ostomy is a surgical procedure that creates an artificial opening from the intestines to the outside of the body, allowing for the rerouting of effluent. This opening is known as a stoma. A stoma usually protrudes above the skin surface, appearing pink or red, moist, and round, and it lacks nerve sensations.
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