In the 1950s, Dorothea Orem laid the groundwork for the self-care deficit hypothesis of nursing. At the time, the majority of nursing school programs included conceptual frameworks from medicine, psychology, and sociology in their curriculums. Consequently, Orem is a pioneer in the creation of unique nursing expertise. This distinguishes her achievement in the world and emphasizes her work’s importance on a global scale.
Chosen Theory
Nurse educators build curricula based on strong educational concepts, research, and theory in order to provide student nurses with the necessary knowledge and skills for providing care. In some situations, patients are encouraged to become more independent. This may be especially true in rehabilitation settings, wherein people are transitioning from physician and nurse care to self-care at home. In these instances, the Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory may be used to aid patients in growing autonomous and preparing for departure from the healthcare facility where they are undergoing treatment.
Nursing Metaparadigm
Introduced by Dorothea Orem, the Self-Care Nursing Theory, also known as the Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory, focuses on the nurses’ role in supporting the patient’s ability to be self-sufficient and responsible for their own care. The theory is based on the idea that people must be knowledgeable about their health problems to provide adequate self-care. In her Self-Care Theory, she defined nursing as the act of aiding people in the supply and administration of self-care in order to maintain or enhance human functioning at home (Claywell, 2021). The notion emphasizes an individual’s capacity for self-care. It comprises three interconnected theories: the theory of self-care, the self-care deficit theory, and the theory of nursing systems, which are subdivided into wholly compensatory, partly compensatory, and supportive-educative.
Numerous academics have endorsed Orem’s self-care deficit nursing theory (SCDNT) to enhance the health outcomes of patients in terms of the nurses’ involvement. Experimental investigations on SCDNT include an evaluation of the efficacy of the theory in lowering tiredness in multiple sclerosis patients and an assessment of the efficacy of SCDNT-based therapy in enhancing the quality of life of migraine patients (Yip, 2021). The research demonstrated that SCDNT is crucial for effective patient care in the given contexts.
Brief Summary
Dorothea Orem established the Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory, often known as the Orem Model of Nursing, between 1959 and 2001. It is regarded as a grand nursing theory, which implies it has a large scope and contains general notions applicable to all situations of nursing. The primary tenet of the Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory is that all patients want self-care and are able to heal more rapidly and comprehensively if they undertake as much self-care as possible (Claywell, 2021). In rehabilitation, primary care, and other settings where patients are encouraged to be independent, this notion is used extensively.
The requirements listed by Dorothea Orem for self-care deficit fit into one of three groups. The first consists of universal self-care necessities, which are requirements that everyone has. These include air, water, nourishment, physical exercise and rest, and risk avoidance (Claywell, 2021). The second category is developmental self-care requirements, which include two sub-categories: maturational, which advances the patient to a higher degree of maturity, and situational, which avoids adverse development impacts (Claywell, 2021). The third group consists of health deviation requirements or demands that arise because of the patient’s condition (Claywell, 2021). A self-care deficiency develops when a patient is unable to meet their self-care needs (Yildiz & Kaşikçi, 2020). In this situation, the patient’s nurse provides a support modality, which may include full compensation, half compensation, or education and support.
Usefulness for Profession
One advantage of Dorothea Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory is that it is readily applicable to a wide range of nursing circumstances and patients. It is readily adaptable to varied contexts due to the generalizability of its ideas and concepts, and nurses and patients may collaborate to ensure that patients get the best possible care and are able to care for themselves (Claywell, 2021). As a result of Dorothea Orem’s passion for nursing and hard work in the profession, nurses may now apply her theory to care for patients and facilitate their transition from the hospital or long-term care facility to their own home.
Application in Nursing Educators
Across the continuum of care, nurse educators assist patients and caregivers with educational needs, issue resolution, and health management. Planning, implementing and delivering instructional programs in collaboration with medical professionals, patient care workers, and unit administration. This theory is directly connected with the nurse educators’ responsibilities as it educates patients and nurses on the importance of self-care and helps to deliver better patient outcomes.
Reflection
This assignment allowed me to oversee the nature of nursing educator theories and their origin. Dorothea Orem’s origin is a story of a successful woman’s career with a high global impact on the nursing sector. It led to the reevaluation of nursing approaches and education and revealed the importance of the theory in various contexts. Consequently, I believe in having enhanced personal awareness of nursing theories and am able to apply self-care theory to myself and future practices.
References
Claywell, L. (2021). LPN to RN transitions – E-Book (5 ed.). Elsevier Health Sciences
Yildiz, F. T., & Kaşikçi, M. (2020). Impact of training based on Orem’s theory on self-care agency and quality of life in patients with coronary artery disease. The Journal of Nursing Research, 28(6), e125.
Yip, J. Y. C. (2021). Theory-Based Advanced Nursing Practice: A Practice Update on the Application of Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory. SAGE Open Nursing 7.