[Barriers related to the use of self-catheterization : preliminary survey of perception and implications].

INTRODUCTION: the use of clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) has been widely advocated after spinal cord injury. Nevertheless, implementing this technique remains problematic in practice; reasons for this reluctance range from lack of experience to availability of material.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: 1. To identify a list of barriers related to the use of intermittent catheterization ; 2. To identify specific assessment tools in relation with these barriers ; 3. To conduct a survey on four groups of people: patients - nurses in neurology, neurosurgery and intensive care - nurses in rehabilitation, - nurses in home-care. Each group has to select from this list and rank the ten most important barriers ; 4. To compare the barriers those that have been highlighted by each of these groups.

RESULTS: overall, the main preoccupation of the patient is mostly related to the material, while a large proportion of care-givers consider that the most prevalent barrier for the implementation of the CIC lies in the patient himself. An analysis was also carried out to highlight trends within groups (i)-(iv) of care-givers.

CONCLUSION: the perception of burden is different for patients and care-givers, depending on the service within which they operate. A careful analysis will enable us to adapt the therapeutic education of the patients and to tailor the information transmitted to care-givers. Such continuous process of care will emphasise the concept of 'pelvic perineal health- care pathway'.