Next‐Generation Care: The Impact of an Innovative Urinary Catheter Carrier Bag on Enhancing Patient Satisfaction, Body Image and Self‐Esteem

AIM: This study examined the effects of an innovative urinary catheter carrier bag on patient satisfaction, body image, self-esteem and shame. The primary outcome was patient satisfaction, and the secondary outcomes were body image, self-esteem and external shame. BACKGROUND: Indwelling urinary catheter users often face psychosocial challenges, including discomfort, altered body perception and reduced self-esteem. Supportive tools that improve comfort and privacy may help mitigate these negative outcomes. DESIGN: A randomized controlled pretest-posttest design was used. METHODS: The study was conducted in the Emergency Department and the Urology Service of Bingöl State Hospital between July and December 2023. The population consisted of patients using indwelling urinary catheters for at least 3 weeks. Seventy-two patients were randomly assigned to intervention and control groups; two discontinued before the posttest, and per-protocol analyses were conducted on data from 70 participants. Data were collected using the patient information form, satisfaction scale, body image scale, Rosenberg self-esteem scale and the other as shamer scale. Change in satisfaction-visual analogue scale (VAS) score was the primary outcome, whereas changes in body image scale, Rosenberg self-esteem scale and the other as shamer scale scores were secondary outcomes. The intervention group received the urinary catheter carrier bag and was followed for 21 days, while the control group received standard care. RESULTS: The intervention group showed significantly higher satisfaction levels and notable improvements in body image, self-esteem and shame compared with the control group. CONCLUSION: The urinary catheter carrier bag effectively enhances patient satisfaction, body image and self-esteem while reducing shame. Integrating such supportive tools into nursing care may improve the psychosocial well-being of catheter users.