Voiding diary: proposal and assessment of a tool

ABSTRACT Can voiding diary be a primary tool to assess urinary symptoms, being accessible and easier to fit into patients' lives and their family or caregiver? The nursing care to neurogenic bladder patients reveals the daily need for standardized patient assessment tools that support the treatment process. The aim of this study is to propose and assess a voiding diary for use with intermittent bladder catheter users and their caregivers. Voiding diary is important tool for patients and their caregivers to use to help both parties understand the functioning of the urinary tract and identify urinary symptoms. Research developed at a Rehabilitation Center of a university hospital. After characterizing the population, the voiding diary was constructed based on the literature review and then subject to expert face and content validation. Each participant received a diary, a graded plastic flask and a data collection instrument, between June and October 2013. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Among the 44 (100.0%) participants, 28 (63.6%) were caregivers and 16 (36.4%) patients. The best assessed items regarding the diary were ‘Importance of the tool,’, ‘Explanation of the orientations’ and ‘Clarity of the Figures.’ The good adherence level to the tool was highlighted, as well as the importance of appropriate orientations before completing the diary.
Source: International Journal of Urological Nursing - Category: Urology & Nephrology Authors: Tags: Research Paper Source Type: research