Journal article
Patients' Experiences With the Removal of a Ureteral Stent: Insights From In-depth Interviews With Participants in the USDRN STENTS Qualitative Cohort Study
Urology (Ridgewood, N.J.), Vol.178, pp.26-36
08/01/2023
DOI: 10.1016/j.urology.2023.04.018
PMID: 37149059
Abstract
To describe the experiences of patients undergoing stent removal in the USDRN Study to Enhance Understanding of Stent-Associated Symptoms (STENTS), a prospective, observational cohort study of patients with short-term ureteral stent placement post-ureteroscopy.
We conducted a qualitative descriptive study using in-depth interviews. Participants reflected on (1) painful or bothersome aspects of stent removal, (2) symptoms immediately after removal, and (3) symptoms in the days following removal. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using applied thematic analysis.
The 38 participants interviewed were aged 13-77 years, 55% female, and 95% White. Interviews were conducted 7-30 days after stent removal. Almost all participants (n = 31) described that they experienced either pain or discomfort during stent removal, but for most (n = 25) pain was of short duration. Many participants (n = 21) described anticipatory anxiety related to the procedure, and several (n = 11) discussed discomfort arising from lack of privacy or feeling exposed. Interactions with medical providers often helped put participants at ease, but also increased discomfort for some. Following stent removal, several participants described lingering pain and/or urinary symptoms, but these largely resolved within 24 hours. A few participants described symptoms persisting for more than a day post stent removal.
These findings on patients' experiences during and shortly after ureteral stent removal, particularly the psychological distress they experienced, identify opportunities for improvement in patient care. Clear communication from providers about what to expect with the removal procedure, and the possibility of delayed pain, may help patients adapt to discomfort.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Patients' Experiences With the Removal of a Ureteral Stent: Insights From In-depth Interviews With Participants in the USDRN STENTS Qualitative Cohort Study
- Creators
- Carrie Dombeck - Duke UniversityCharles D Scales - Duke University Health SystemKevin McKenna - Duke UniversityTeresa Swezey - Duke UniversityJonathan D Harper - University of WashingtonJodi A Antonelli - Duke UniversityAlana C Desai - Washington University in St. LouisH Henry Lai - Washington University in St. LouisRebecca McCune - Children's Hospital of PhiladelphiaMichele Curatolo - University of WashingtonHussein R Al-Khalidi - Duke UniversityNaim M Maalouf - The University of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterPeter P Reese - University of PennsylvaniaHunter Wessells - University of WashingtonZiya Kirkali - National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney DiseasesAmy Corneli - Duke UniversityNIDDK Urinary Stone Disease Research Network
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Urology (Ridgewood, N.J.), Vol.178, pp.26-36
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.urology.2023.04.018
- PMID
- 37149059
- NLM abbreviation
- Urology
- ISSN
- 0090-4295
- eISSN
- 1527-9995
- Grant note
- U24 DK110988 / NIDDK NIH HHS U01 DK110994 / NIDDK NIH HHS U01 DK110954 / NIDDK NIH HHS U01 DK110961 / NIDDK NIH HHS U01 DK110986 / NIDDK NIH HHS U01 DK110988 / NIDDK NIH HHS
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 08/01/2023
- Academic Unit
- Urology
- Record Identifier
- 9985244667102771
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