Dorothea Orem’s Self Care Theory
Running head: DOROTHEA OREM’S SELF CARE THEORY
Dorothea Orem’s Self Care Theory
Carmen Sigley
West Virginia University
Abstract
When a patient needs to decrease the potential problem that prevents him from reaching his optimal health, nurses can use Orem’s Self-care Model as a tool to identify when and how much they can influence the patient care. This theory is the key of nursing care if it is used optimal and in a period of time when patient’s development can be discover and manipulated. The purpose of this paper is to prove that Orem’s Theory can be used efficiently if is done in an ongoing manner and using actions of individuals directed to self care. The environment is an important aspect and regulates the factors or conditions in the interest of the individual’s life, health, and well-being.
Dorothea Orem’s Self Care Theory
This paper argue in favor of Dorothea Orem’s Self Care Model because is one of the most essential tools that a nurse can use in eliminating the distance between patient well-being and patient’s health status. The purpose of this theory is to allow individuals and their families to maintain control of their healthcare and is ongoing throughout the continuum of life, forever evolving. Even Orem’s Self Care Model is a complex process and require more time than others models it can be used when a patient require hospitalization for long period of time. The model is based on four concepts that constitute nursing’s metaparadigm, as proposed by Fawcett: human beings, environment, health, and nursing (Fawcett, 2005). In 1971, Orem described a human being (humanity) as “…an integrated whole composed of an internal physical, psychological, and social nature with varying degrees of self-care ability” (Chinn & Kramer, 2004). Using this Theory a nurse can discover the patient’s developmental level and can predict the path of care that guides both the client and family to an increase health care self level. The
Dorothea Orem’s Self Care Theory
Carmen Sigley
West Virginia University
Abstract
When a patient needs to decrease the potential problem that prevents him from reaching his optimal health, nurses can use Orem’s Self-care Model as a tool to identify when and how much they can influence the patient care. This theory is the key of nursing care if it is used optimal and in a period of time when patient’s development can be discover and manipulated. The purpose of this paper is to prove that Orem’s Theory can be used efficiently if is done in an ongoing manner and using actions of individuals directed to self care. The environment is an important aspect and regulates the factors or conditions in the interest of the individual’s life, health, and well-being.
Dorothea Orem’s Self Care Theory
This paper argue in favor of Dorothea Orem’s Self Care Model because is one of the most essential tools that a nurse can use in eliminating the distance between patient well-being and patient’s health status. The purpose of this theory is to allow individuals and their families to maintain control of their healthcare and is ongoing throughout the continuum of life, forever evolving. Even Orem’s Self Care Model is a complex process and require more time than others models it can be used when a patient require hospitalization for long period of time. The model is based on four concepts that constitute nursing’s metaparadigm, as proposed by Fawcett: human beings, environment, health, and nursing (Fawcett, 2005). In 1971, Orem described a human being (humanity) as “…an integrated whole composed of an internal physical, psychological, and social nature with varying degrees of self-care ability” (Chinn & Kramer, 2004). Using this Theory a nurse can discover the patient’s developmental level and can predict the path of care that guides both the client and family to an increase health care self level. The
References: Chinn, P. L., & Kramer, M. K. (2004). Integrated knowledge development in nursing (6th ed.). St.Louis: Mosby. Fawcett, J. (2005). Contemporary nursing knowledge: Analysis and evaluation of nursing models and theories (2nd ed.). Philadelphia: F. A. Davis. Gomez, J., & Walks, L. Dorothea Orem’s self-care deficit theory. Retrieved September 30, 2005, from Northern Arizona University Web site: http://dana.ucc.nau.edu/~jmg8/image_of_nursing.htm. Hartweg, D. L. (1991). Dorothea Orem self-care deficit theory: Notes on nursing theories (pp. 1- 63). London: Sage. Hartweg, D. L. (1995). Dorothea Orem self care deficit theory. In C. M. McQuiston & A. A. Webb (Eds.), Foundations of nursing theory. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.[pic]