Abstract: Objective To summarize self-care experience of patients with indwelling catheter for percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography and drainage （PTCD）, analyze obstacle and promotive factors, providing evidence for improving self-care behaviors of these patients. Methods Using descriptive qualitative method, Capability-Opportunity-Motivation-Behavior （COM-B） model was used as the theoretical framework. Patients undergoing PTCD in Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from February to August 2024 were enrolled in this study. The eligible subjects were screened by focal sampling method. Relevant data were collected by semi-structured interviews. Interview data were systematically analyzed by quantitative content analysis method. Results According to the interview content, obstacle factors were extracted as 3 themes and 9 sub-themes： lack of self-care capability （lack of PTCD-related knowledge and weak capability for handling accidents）, lack of self-care motivation （symptom distress, decreased self-efficiency, limited daily life and sense of shame）, and weak social support system （access to medical resources, lack of family support for solitary individuals, stigma and exclusion in social network）. Promotive factors included 3 themes of strong autonomous learning capability, positive feedback to symptom management, and collaborative support from family and Internet hospitals. Conclusion Patients with indwelling catheter of PTCD face multiple challenges in the process of self-care. It is necessary to strengthen health education, improve health literacy levels, enhance inner driving force and improve social support system, aiming to improve self-care behaviors of these patients.