If we questioned the compliance to a schedule, then we might ask that family to just keep a diary of date, time, volume at catheterization, to help re-instill in them the sense of how important this is, and in that way maybe bring them back to getting closer to the schedule. We try to help them appreciate that we understand that things are not always how we want them to be. We give them a little leeway, so that especially for the very conscientious patient who can’t get to the bathroom at school at 11:55, they don’t feel guilty. We say “somewhere within this range” to help them out. We also work with the parents: we might use a reward system to try and get them back on track if they’re younger. If they’re older, in adolescence, it’s more difficult, as it is with anything else, I think.

Joseph Borer, MD, Department of Urology