Experience with bladder training after radical or semiradical hysterectomy

Abstract

This study aimed to provide an unbiased report regarding the experience of patients who underwent radical or semi-radical hysterectomy during bladder training. The participant observation and unstructured interview techniques were conducted, and the data of three patients who were included in this study were analyzed using the phenomenological approach developed by Thomas et al. As a result, eight themes were identified and demonstrated changes in the feelings and perceptions of patients who underwent radical or semiradical hysterectomy during bladder training. Emotional changes in patients may be caused by sudden functional changes in their bodies, which had worked unconsciously until the surgery. With respect to the patients’ efforts to regain the ability to normally urinate in daily life via bladder training, medical providers are recommended to focus on changes related to patient urination in both objective measurements and actual feeling. Moreover, supporting patients by focusing on their subjective recover y of normal urination is particularly important.