Empowerment-Based Continuity of Care for Postoperative Upper Urinary Tract Calculi Patients with Double-J Stents: Effects on Self-Care and Compliance

Jiahui Li,1,* Shaowei Guo,1,* Wenxian Zhang,1 Huinan Li,1 Zhitao Zhang,1 Xiaohui Qin,2 Aying Liu1 1Department of Urology, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University of Engineering, Handan, 056000, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University of Engineering, Handan, 056000, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Xiaohui Qin, Email [email protected]: To evaluate the effectiveness of a continuity-of-care model based on empowerment theory in patients with upper urinary tract calculi undergoing postoperative double-J stent placement.Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 124 patients treated from February 2024 to April 2025. Patients were assigned to a control group (routine nursing, n = 62) or an Intervention group (empowerment-based continuity care, n = 62). Compliance behavior, self-care ability (ESCA), self-efficacy (GSES), quality of life (WHOQOL-BREF), postoperative complications, and nursing satisfaction (NSNS) were compared between groups.Results: The Intervention group showed higher compliance (91.94% vs 79.03%, P < 0.05). Post-intervention ESCA, GSES, and WHOQOL-BREF scores improved in both groups, with greater gains in the Intervention group (P < 0.05). Complication incidence was lower in the Intervention group (4.84% vs 16.13%, P < 0.05), and nursing satisfaction was higher (95.16% vs 82.26%, P < 0.05).Conclusion: Empowerment-based continuity care significantly enhances self-care ability, adherence behavior, self-efficacy, and quality of life in postoperative double-J stent patients, while reducing complications and improving nursing satisfaction. This model supports patient-centered care and promotes active patient participation.Project: Construction of an Empowerment Theory Model for Risk Prediction of Elderly Patients with Double-J Stent (Project No. 20250979).Keywords: empowerment theory, continuity care, upper urinary tract calculi, double-J stent, self-care ability, compliance behavior