Neurogenic bowel after spinal cord injury from the perspective of support providers: a phenomenological study

Objective: To gain greater insight into the experience of support providers who assist and support individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) for the performance of bowel care.

Design: Qualitative (phenomenological) interviews and analysis.

Setting: Community.

Participants: Ten support providers of individuals with SCI.

Main outcome measurements: Themes related to supporting bowel care for individuals with SCI.

Results: Support providers identified concerns and challenges as well as sources of satisfaction related to the provision of bowel care to individuals with SCI. Traits and characteristics of effective support providers also emerged.

Conclusions: Individuals with SCI often require emotional, logistical, and/or physical assistance to complete bowel care. Exploration of neurogenic bowel care from the perspective of support providers identified concerns and challenges, sources of satisfaction, and important traits and characteristics of support providers. This information can facilitate the identification of effective support providers and the provision of enhanced training and support. Interventions of this nature can improve the experience for individuals with SCI and their supports.