Barriers affecting patient adherence to intermittent self-catheterisation

Intermittent self-catheterisation (ISC) is now considered the standard of care for most patients with neurological conditions and associated lower urinary tract disorders. Numerous societies, led by the International Continence Society, are in agreement on the effectiveness of ISC. Use of intermittent catheters is reported to reduce the risk of catheter-associated urinary tract infection compared with indwelling urinary catheters while improving patient comfort and quality of life. However, previous studies have shown that, despite the benefits of ISC, it will not guarantee behavior change and the integration of this procedure into the daily life of patients. Patients may encounter internal (related to the patient themselves) and external (related to their environment) difficulties. Identifying these obstacles early will help promoting ISC success. This review aims to identify internal and external barriers related to ISC and to propose adequate solutions to avoid them.