Patient and community nurse perspectives on recruitment to a randomized controlled trial of urinary catheter washout solutions

Aim: To give evidence around the acceptability of a proposed randomized controlled trial (RCT) of catheter washout solutions.

Design: A sample of senior community nursing staff ( N = 7) were interviewed, and four focus groups with a sample of community nurses were conducted. Eleven semi-structured face-to-face interviews were undertaken with patients using a long-term catheter.

Methods: An in-depth qualitative study using a phenomenological approach was employed. This approach was suitable to explore the lived experiences of patients and gain their viewpoints and experiences.

Results: Nurse participants raised concerns about the removal of washout treatment or increased risk of infection in relation to which arm of the trial patients were randomized to. There was concern that patients could get used to the increased contact with nursing staff. Six patients who agreed to participate cited personal benefit, benefiting others and a sense of indifference. Four patients were unsure about taking part and one declined. All cited concerns about negative implications for themselves.