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Abstract
Purpose
To describe the usual bowel care regimes of people living in the community with spinal cord injury and factors important for integrating bowel care into everyday life.
Methods and materials
Descriptive and interpretive thematic analysis of transcribed semi-structured interviews with 11 men living with spinal cord injury, aged 23–77 years, 8–45 years post injury.
Results
Participants had different levels and types of injuries. While there were common aspects of the bowel care routines of study participants, none was exactly the same as any other. Each had developed a routine in accordance with the needs of their own body, preferences, and convenience in relation to availability of carers and work commitments. Personal factors in the person with SCI were important for successful integration of bowel care into their everyday life.
Conclusion
An appropriate and consistent bowel care routine was found to be significant in enabling people with spinal cord injury to experience wellness and quality in their everyday lives. Characteristics and actions of the person with SCI enabled the person to actively drive the process of integrating bowel care into their everyday life. How best to foster the development of these personal factors warrant further investigation.
Support for the ongoing development of self-management of bowel dysfunction expertise by people living with spinal cord injury needs to continue after discharge from hospital.
Characteristics of the person with spinal cord injury, such as a state of mind indicating acceptance of their situation, motivation to avoid bowel accidents and constipation, and willingness to take responsibility, are important factors influencing the integration of bowel care into everyday life.
Actions undertaken by the person with spinal cord injury, such as discipline to establish, refine and maintain a bowel care regime, and proactive self-management are important factors influencing the integration of bowel care into everyday life.
This small study suggests the role of personal factors in the development of self-management expertise, for example the development of a self-management mindset and the acquisition of skills to drive that process, should be considered during rehabilitation.
IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).