Introduction
The purpose of this paper is to identify the definition of Dorothea Orem’s nursing theory and its constituent elements that most fully reflect the concept. For this purpose, the following aims are set: to study the peculiarities of understanding Dorothea forum nursing theory among scholars in scientific papers and the meanings theories give in the dictionary.
The significance of concepts in nursing lies in the ability to use theory to better care for patients in numerous cases when patients are unable to self-care. The etymology of this theory is the name of its creator, nurse Dorothea Orem, but its essence also allows us to call it the self-care theory. The historical perspective of the concept may be used more to help the patient become as independent as possible in their actions.
Definition of Concept
Common Usage
Common usage of Orem’s work to further develop Henderson’s idea of the kind of activity required to sustain good health and an active lifestyle. Nursing use of the concept is the utilization of a detailed terminology developed by Dorothea Orem to describe concepts in the field of nursing. Moreover, other medical professionals use Dorothea Orem’s nursing theory to highlight potential problems that may arise when self-care is impossible (Williams, 2021).
Colleagues describe the concepts as a continuation of Henderson’s idea because, like Henderson, Orem defines nursing as recompense for activities accomplished in a healthy state in situations where the patient cannot carry them out. (Hartweg & Metcalfe, 2021). Therefore, Dorothea Orem’s nursing theory is commonly used in conjunction with another theory, thereby expanding its meaning.
Nature of Concept
The concept consists of three central components: self-care, the need for self-care, and the need for therapeutic self-care. The main one among them is self-help, which gave the theory its second name and through which its nature is revealed (Anny, 2022). Scholars define self-care as the performance of actions that a person takes on his or her own initiative and on one’s own (Williams, 2021). They do this to ensure their own survival, health, and well-being (Nascimento et al., 2021).
All of these activities are chosen and conscious, represent a certain stereotype, and are executed in a specific sequence (Hartweg & Metcalfe, 2021). They are also intentional, founded on the desire to meet the need for self-care (Williams, 2021). Self-satisfaction of self-care needs lies at the heart of Dorothea Orem’s nursing theory.
Definition from Unabridged Dictionary
One definition of Dorothea Orem’s nursing theory is available in the Free Medical Dictionary. According to it, Dorothea Orem is a pioneer in nursing service and nursing education. Her notion of nursing was first published in 1959 in a government publication titled Guides for Developing Curricula for the Education of Practical Nurses (The Free Dictionary, 2024). The dictionary also states that Are and other members of the Catholic University Faculty of Nursing Model Committee continued to work on developing a theory (The Free Dictionary, 2024). The theory is the nursing self-care model, but it is closely related to Dorothea Orem’s personality
Students’ Definition
After analyzing the literature and resources, the student developed his own understanding of Dorothea Orem’s nursing theory. The Orem self-care deficit model is founded on self-care principles, which are activities people initiate and carry out to maintain life, health, and well-being. At the same time, the philosophy emphasizes nursing care in disease prevention, accident prevention, and education. Orem’s theory also emphasizes a person’s personal responsibility for maintaining their own health.
List of Defining Characteristics
Antecedents for self-care include various types of self-care needs related to health disorders. The first is the need to find and provide medical care for yourself in connection with an existing health disorder (Anny, 2022). The second is the willingness to accept the consequences of pathological conditions, including age-related changes (Anny, 2022). The third is to effectively implement therapeutic, diagnostic, and rehabilitative measures (Williams, 2021). Another antecedent is to be ready to tolerate and resist the unpleasant or traumatic effects of the treatment.
The essential elements of the self-care concept are physiological, social, and emotional needs. Physiological needs include the provision of the necessary amounts of air, water, food, and care, as well as the processes of excretion (Williams, 2021). Social needs concern ensuring a reasonable balance between privacy and contact with others (Hartweg & Metcalfe, 2021). Emotional requirements provide the balance of human life and functioning within social groups, taking into account a person’s ability to express themselves and commonly acknowledged restrictions (Tanaka, 2022). Thus, the attributes that make up self-care allow the patient to live the most fulfilling independent life.
Theoretical Definition
Dorothea Orem’s nursing theory definition is formulated differently, with a similar meaning across all the read articles. According to this paradigm, nursing interventions should attempt to prevent disease and patient trauma (Anny, 2022). A lot of attention is paid to teaching the patient and their loved ones how to care, which is also part of the concept(Anny, 2022). The creator of the model views the patient as a person accountable for their own health, which is the foundation of the definition in the articles read.
Operational Definition
A concept could be measured by helping the patient develop the self-help skills possible for them. If, at the initial stage, a nurse performs a compensatory role in care, then, during nursing interventions, a partially compensatory role should be achieved (Tanaka, 2022). Such a result is considered positive, and the transition from one stage of self-care to another with a nurse’s help is an indicator of effectiveness.
Conclusion
Thus, Dorothea Orem’s proposed model is based on the principles of self-help. In this nursing model, three groups of self-care needs are distinguished: physiological, social, and emotional. The role of the nurse in this case is to help the patient master self-care skills, monitor the patient’s self-care, and provide patient care as an addition to self-care.
The result is assessed as progress in the patient’s self-care. Nursing care is considered effective when it maintains or restores a balance between the patient’s capabilities and needs. Although different definitions emphasize different aspects of the theory and its connection to the author’s or her predecessors’ personalities, scholars agree on the central importance of self-study for this theory.
References
Anny, A. A. (2022). Comparison of two nursing theories: Orem’s theory of self-care deficit & Kolcaba’s comfort theory. I-Manager’s Journal on Nursing, 12(2), 34-35.
Hartweg, D. L., & Metcalfe, S. A. (2021). Orem’s self-care deficit nursing theory: Relevance and need for refinement. Nursing Science Quarterly, 35(1), 275-279.
Nascimento, T. F., Almeida, G. M., Bello, M. P., Silva, R. P., & Fontes, C. M. (2021). Coronavirus infections: Health care planning based on Orem’s nursing theory. Revista Brasileira de Enfermagem, 15(11), 145-153.
Tanaka, M. (2022). Orem’s nursing self-care deficit theory: A theoretical analysis focusing on its philosophical and sociological foundation. Nursing Forum, 57(3), 480-485.
The Free Dictionary. (2024). Orem. Medical Dictionary.
Williams, P. A. (2021). Fundamental concepts and skills for nursing (6th ed.). Saunders.s