A qualitative study on the experiences of Turkish caregivers of learning clean intermittent catheterization.

Purpose: The process of caregivers learning to implement clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) affects both children and caregivers negatively. The aim of this study was to examine the experiences of caregivers performing CIC on their children with spina bifida (SB).

Design and methods: This study was conducted with a qualitative design between June 5 and September 25, 2022, with the caregivers of 17 children. The data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire and analyzed using a thematic analysis technique. The COREQ guidelines were followed in the study.

Results: The data were grouped under fourteen sub-themes: "not knowing CIC, having knowledge about CIC, positive and supportive, negative and compelling, family support, health personnel support, loneliness, sharing responsibility, taking on the role of caregiver, satisfaction, sadness, indecisiveness, limitation of social life, change in social life routine". Caregivers had both positive and negative experiences in this period.

Conclusion: Caregivers face various challenges during the implementation of CIC for children with SB. The results reveal the importance of identifying the performance of caregivers. Nurses who are aware of the difficulties faced by caregivers in this period can be actively involved in personalized care-oriented health education, counseling, and support for caregivers.

Implications for clinical practice: Failure to provide adequate support to caregivers during the CIC application process causes both children and caregivers to be negatively affected in this process. For this reason, protocols or guidelines should be created by nurses in order to reduce the negative experiences of caregivers who apply CIC to their children.