Orem's Self-Care Deficit Theory

[Athabasca University]

Orem's Self-Care Deficit Theory

Introduction

The concept of self care in nursing was first envisioned by Orem in 1959 as an attempt to define nursing role as a legitimate profession in healthcare (Orem, D.E., 1959). When Orem was working as a consultant at Indiana University, she recognized needs to articulate questions about nursing role and wanted to define the uniqueness of nursing and the boundaries and domain of nursing study as an art and science (Bridge, J. et al, 2005). Reflecting on her own experiences in the various areas of nursing, Orem had conceptualized her self-care deficit nursing theory that can explain the uniqueness implemented in nursing as a science and an art, and her works had helped nursing to shift away from a medical model of practice (Bridge, J. et al, 2005).

Nursing, “Concepts of Practice” (Orem, 2001) was the innovative publication of her theoretical and conceptual framework. In the subsequent editions, with an increased emphasis on family and community, Orem developed her ideas to extend beyond the individual (Bridge et al., 2005).

Thesis statement

There will be an exploration of this model and application to meet the needs of the patients with varying degrees of nursing processes.

Discussion

Orem's Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory

The self care deficit theory of nursing is based on several concepts, propositions, and assumptions (Julia G.B, 2002). One of important concepts is that all human beings have the needs of self-care to maintain optimal health and wellness. This is termed as therapeutic self care demand. (Dottie, 1984). Another important concept is that human beings have to make deliberate actions for regulating health, life, and well-being (Romeo, E., V., & Devereaux, M. J., 2006). This is termed as self care agency. The incapacity to gather therapeutic self care demands reflects the fact that a need for nursing exists, and Orem's theory is accepted as a relationship between therapeutic self care demands and self care agency (Romeo & Devereaux). Nursing agency is the name for the power in human and action repertoire linked with nursing practice essential to make up the deficit (Bridge et al. 2005).

A Conceptual Framework for Nursing

(Tomey & Alligood, 2002, p. 192)

The General Nursing Theory

Orem's general nursing theory is comprises of three interrelated sub theories” the theory of self care, the theory of self care deficit and the theory of nursing” (Johnson & Webber, 2005). “The theory of self-care explains why and how people care for themselves including the concept of self-care agency, basic conditioning factor, therapeutic self-care demand, and self-care requisites” (Johnson & Webber). It also suggests that,inorder to to continue life, well-being, and health every individual must take certain measure in timely manner throught out the day(Bridge et al., 2005).

A self care deficit exists when the self care agency does not adequately meet all or part of self-care needs (Romeo & Devereaux, 2006), and the theory of self care deficit explains when people need nursing care (Johnson & Webber, 2005). Lastly, the nursing system theory explains that experienced and educated nurses are required ...