Intermittent urinary catheterization is used by patients that have a neurological or malformative bladder for the purpose of renal salvage and urinary continence.

Transanal irrigation is used by patient that have neurological or malformative colon for the purpose of fecal continence.

The goal of these group workshops is to respond to the feeling of isolation of patients that practice continence care (self or hetero care) by sharing a common experience.

Animation: nurse and psychologist.

One hour workshop of roughly 4 patients.

Single-sex group broken down by age (7/10, 11/14, 15/18).

Main tools:

– discussions on care organization in everyday situations;

– written personal remarks that are read anonymously and discussed;

– brainstorming about care;

– other tools depending on patients’ age.

Nine groups since January 2017.

Thirty-seven patients.

Average age: 12 years old.

Sharing a common experience allows easy and smooth exchanges. The results are not distinct according to the type of care because it is the “group encounter” effect that is significant.

Beneficial effects noticed from post-group interviews:

– self-esteem: the workshop enables to ensure with others whether it's possible to have a normal life even with care;

– relief to speak freely about patient's experience outside family and social circles, feeling that personal experience is understood by the group;

– decrease of the shame to practice care and isolation feeling: sense of being part of a group;

– sociability: free discussions enables to unlock some social fears;

– better acceptance of care.

The group allows peer identification that make possible to face living with the feeling of “being different from others”. This has beneficial effects on self-confidence, which is essential for the psychic development of the child and the teenager.

“When I saw the other girls, I told myself that it was not possible that they also practice care, they seemed so normal”.