A cross‐sectional study of the catheter management of neurogenic bladder after traumatic spinal cord injury

Aims

This cross‐sectional study describes the catheter management of neurogenic bladder (NGB) in patients with traumatic spinal cord injury (tSCI) with emphasis on the motivations behind transitions between intermittent (IC) and indwelling catheters.

Methods

Patients at the Minneapolis VA with history of tSCI who utilized either intermittent catheterization (IC), urethral (UC) or suprapubic (SP) catheters, participated in a voluntary, anonymous survey regarding their bladder management strategies.

Results

A total of 100 patients participated, 94% were male and 90% Caucasian with median age of 61 years. Patients with current UC or SP were older than those utilizing IC (P = 0.002). The median age at injury and years since SCI were 32 years and 20.5 years, respectively. The median time with current modality was 11 years. A total of 27% of all patients reported at least one transition between catheter type. A total of 14 of 54 patients using IC had prior use of UC or SP, while 12/25 patients using SP and 10/21 patients using UC had prior use of IC. The most common reasons to stop IC included inconvenience, physician recommendation, and dislike of IC. A total of 53% of patients currently using UC or SP reported never using IC. Patients currently using SP were more content with their current catheterization method than those using UC or IC (P = 0.046).

Conclusions

Among patients using catheters for NGB, intermittent catheterization was the most common modality utilized and the transition between intermittent and indwelling catheter was most often influenced by patient preferences and clinician recommendations.     

Developing nursing research in the United Arab Emirates: a narrative review

Aim

This article identified, critically analysed and synthesized the literature on international nursing and midwifery research capacity building and standards.

Background

The United Arab Emirates is heavily dependent up on expatriate nurses. Only 4% of nurses working within the country are Emirati. The nation is therefore committed to developing nurses and nursing as a profession.

Introduction

The United Arab Emirates’ Nursing and Midwifery Council was formed in 2009 and initially focused on regulation, education and specialization. This review was undertaken to inform the work of the Council's newly established Scientific Research Sub‐Committee.

Methods

A rapid narrative review was conducted using the Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature database, key words, Boolean operators, parameters and a journal‐specific search. An inclusion/exclusion criterion was identified.

Results

The search provided 332 articles with 45 included in the final review. The literature on nursing research ‘standards’ and ‘capacity building’ is diverse and inconsistent across continents and in approaches.

Discussion

Nursing research has evolved to varying degrees across the globe. Nevertheless, irrespective of the locale, there are similar problems encountered in growing research, for example nursing faculty shortage, lack of collaborative research, funding. There are also specific challenges in the Middle East and North Africa region.

Limitations

The review was constrained by time and access.

Conclusion and implications for nursing policy

There are specific challenges for the United Arab Emirates. However, the country is well placed to learn from the experiences of colleagues elsewhere. Time and commitment is required to build the solid foundations necessary to ensure robust, sustained growth. Identifying research capacity as both a process and outcome at the outset may also assist. Further, it may be prudent to consider initiating a Gulf Coast Countries’ collaborative approach to building research capacity to harness scare resources and create a larger critical mass.