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Experiences of people with spinal cord injuries readmitted for continence-related complications: a qualitative descriptive study

Spinal Cord volume 62, pages 26–33 (2024)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Study design

Qualitative descriptive.

Objectives

To describe the experiences of people with Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) re-admitted to the hospital due to continence-related complications.

Setting

Inpatient service of a large spinal unit in North-West of Italy.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews were conducted on a purposive sample of people with SCI (n = 11; age range 22–66 years, n = 5 females, n = 6 with cervical injuries), audio-recorded, and transcribed verbatim (duration range 38–52 min). Data were analysed inductively using the thematic analysis approach as described by Braun and Clarke.

Results

Three main themes were identified: (i) managing the frustration of continence-related complications; (ii) finding your way to deal with continence-related complications; (iii) identifying precise needs to deal with continence-related complications. Obtained findings highlighted the perceived emotional and physical burden suffered by people with SCI and their caregivers regarding the constant look for solutions and renounces to social participation, the different strategies implemented to address continence-related complications, and the unmet or partially met needs of people with SCI regarding support in transition to the community, infrastructure, and reliable information or education.

Conclusions

Continence-related complications have a significant impact on the lives of people with SCI and their families. Interventions using technological tools and peer participation could reduce the burden associated with continence-related complications. Specific instruments are needed to facilitate evaluation, goal setting, and promote discussion of continence to allow HCPs to support people with SCI. Structured follow-up for SCI survivors should also focus on their needs to improve knowledge, facilitate decision making, and promote preventive behaviours.

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Data availability

The transcriptions of interviews generated and analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

We wish to thank the participants and the staff at the Spinal Cord Injury Unit of Città della Salute e della Scienza Hospital of Torino for dedicating their time to this study.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Public Health and Paediatric Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy

    Alessio Conti, Elena Pradovera, Elena Casabona & Sara Campagna

  2. Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano Bicocca, Milan, Italy

    Michela Luciani

  3. Cardinal Massaia Hospital of Asti, Asti, Italy

    Miriam Tesio

  4. Department of Continuing Education and Training in the Health Professions, Mauriziano Hospital of Turin, Turin, Italy

    Riccardo Sperlinga

Authors
  1. Alessio Conti
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  5. Elena Casabona
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  7. Sara Campagna
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Contributions

AC, MT, and RS were responsible for designing and writing the study protocol, and for submitting the study to ethical approval. AC and EP were also responsible for writing the report. MT conducted all the interviews and transcribed them verbatim. AC, ML and EC were responsible for data analysis. RS and SC provided feedback on the report.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Elena Casabona.

Ethics declarations

Competing interests

The authors declare no competing interests.

Ethical approval

The study design was approved by the Città della Salute e della Scienza Hospital of Turin Ethics Committee (Resolution n˚ 105785/2016—#CS2/28). All participants were orally contacted by the researchers (MT, AC), received written information, and signed their informed consent to the interviews. All applicable institutional and governmental regulations concerning the ethical use of human volunteers were followed during this research. Anonymity was guaranteed during data transcription and presentation by providing participants with a number code.

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Conti, A., Pradovera, E., Luciani, M. et al. Experiences of people with spinal cord injuries readmitted for continence-related complications: a qualitative descriptive study. Spinal Cord 62, 26–33 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41393-023-00943-w

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