The objective of this study was to explore various aspects of life and health status, and limitations, which an
individual may face because of bladder emptying with an intermittent catheter (IC). Specifically this abstract
investigates the reasons users choose their intermittent catheters and why IC users switch to different types of
intermittent catheters when performing intermittent catheterization outside of their privacy of their home.

This was a cross-sectional survey of IC users residing in the Netherlands, which were recruited with the support of
a home health service provider and distributor based in the Netherlands. Participants who primarily use
intermittent catheters as the mechanism for voiding the bladder, and satisfy the inclusion and exclusion criteria
were enrolled. The study enrolled 1,631 respondents; however, insufficient data and protocol exclusion criteria
eliminated 340 respondents, leaving 1291 available for analysis. This results in a survey margin of error of 2.7%.
Statistical analyses consist of frequency count and percentages.

Fifty-nine percent (763 of 1291) of participants state they chose their IC based on their healthcare professional
(HCP) recommendation. However, 22% (288 of 1291) of users state they do not have the ability to choose their IC.
The two primary reasons for not having a choice were the healthcare professional did not inform the user of
different catheters (35% or 101 of 288) and users did not know they had the option to choose different catheters
(37% or 107 of 288). Furthermore, our data indicates that 15% (194 of 1291) of participants use different ICs when
they are not in the privacy of their own home. Sixty-five percent of those participants (126 of 194) state the primary
reason for choosing a different IC is discretion (smaller packaging, storage, easy disposal, etc.). Lastly, our data
indicates that users with the ability to choose their IC are twice as likely to switch ICs when not in the privacy of
their own home compared to those that do not have a choice (17% [171 of 1003] vs. 8% [23 of 288], Fisher’s Exact
Test p<.01).

Our results suggest intermittent catheter users heavily rely on their HCP to guide their selection of IC products. Our
study found that approximately 22% respondents did not realize they had a choice of products because either their
HCP did not inform them of choices or because they were unaware they had the option to choose. Given the wide
IC products available, it is important that the end-users have the ability to choose a product that best fits their
lifestyle, ability, and preference. In fact, those who were aware of IC product choice cited that they switch catheters
when outside their home due to a need for greater discretion. As such, individuals that responded that they do not
have a choice (or were not aware they had a choice) of IC products are less likely to switch. Unfortunately, it is
possible that these individuals are not using a product that best fit their needs.

Current guidelines (Vahr et al., 2013) recommend that individuals should be able to choose their preferred type and
brand of intermittent catheter in partnership with their healthcare provider. Our data shows that IC users primarily
depend on the HCPs to guide their choice in IC products. Our analysis further finds that 22% of users state they do
not have the ability to choose their IC products, citing reasons of their HCP not informing them of product choice
or not being aware of the ability to choose their product. Given the importance of product choice has on
individualized needs such as comfort, ease of use, and discretion, we urge all HCPs guide and educate their patients
to choose the optimal IC product that best suits their needs.

Vahr, S., Cobussen-Boekhorst, H., Eikenboom, J., Geng, V., Holroyd, S., Lester, M,Vandewinkel, C, Catheterisation