Study and development of a virtual forum as an educational technology for intermittent bladder catheterization in Brazilian patients with spina bifida

• Grant number: 13/12635-0
• Support type: Regular Research Grants
• Duration: February 01, 2014 - January 31, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Nursing
• Principal researcher: Fabiana Faleiros Castro
• Grantee: Fabiana Faleiros Castro
• Home Institution: Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto (EERP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Assoc. researchers: Evandro Eduardo Seron Ruiz ; Fernanda dos Santos Nogueira de Góes ; Karl Christoph de Oliveira Käppler ; Naira Beatriz Favoretto

Abstract

The intermittent catheterization (IC) is necessary for all life, for most individuals with spina bifida (SB), with the purpose of protecting the urinary tract and urinary continence. The renal deterioration is now the leading cause of death of these young and adults individuals. Identify and develop new educational technologies that can assist in the training and support of these individuals and their families to realize the IC is necessary. New educational technologies, virtual learning environments and discussion groups on health issues are increasingly studied by the researchers. In this sense, today, members of the Association of Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus in Germany have a virtual forum. The purpose of this study is to develop a virtual forum, modeled on the German forum, contributing to the empowerment, training and offering support for the realization of the IC for Brazilians with SB and their families. This study represents a continuation proposal for a doctoral thesis carried out previously in Brazil and Germany, about IC. The sample is composed by Brazilian users with SB who perform or performed the IC. Participants of the previous study will be invited, as well as users of rehabilitation centers and Brazilians Spina Bifida Associations. After the development and implementation of the forum, it will be evaluated from the perspective of its users. It is expected to contribute to that future, other online forums can be developed, targeted to different pathologies, which in addition to supporting patients, can also be used as a learning tool in nursing schools. (AU)