NSG5002 Week 5 Theory Critique Template Title Of Paper
NSG5002 Week 5 Theory Critique Template Title of Paper (not bold)
Background
Theorist’s Background
Phenomenon of Concern
Theory Description
Concepts
Diagram
Assumption
Metaparadigm
Evaluation
Clarity
Congruence
Application
Level
Use
Weaknesses
Future
Paper For Above instruction
Title of Paper: An Analysis of Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory and Its Application in Contemporary Practice
Background
Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory, developed by Dorothea Orem in the 1950s, has significantly influenced nursing education and practice globally. It emphasizes the importance of patient self-care and the role of nurses in supporting individuals to maintain health and manage illness through promoting independence. The theory is foundational in nursing because it integrates holistic patient care with practical application, encouraging nurses to assess self-care abilities and develop interventions accordingly.
Theorist's Background
Dorothea Orem (1914–2007) was an American nursing theorist and educator known for her development of self-care theory. Her extensive academic career and practical experience in nursing education at the University of California, particularly at the Orem Center for Self-Care, provided her with insights into patient care dynamics. Her background in nursing practice and education was pivotal in shaping a theory aimed at empowering patients and emphasizing the importance of self-care in health and healing.
Phenomenon of Concern
The phenomenon central to Orem’s theory is self-care—the actions that individuals perform independently to maintain health and well-being. The theory addresses the gaps and deficits in self-care that occur when individuals are unable to meet their own needs due to illness, injury, or disability. It examines how effective nursing interventions can compensate for or support these deficits.
Theory Description
Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory is structured around three main concepts: self-care, self-care agency, and nursing systems. Self-care refers to activities individuals perform to maintain health; self-care agency is their ability to perform these activities; and nursing systems are interventions designed by nurses when individuals are unable to meet their own needs. The theory categorizes nursing actions into wholly compensatory, partly compensatory, and supportive-educative systems, depending on the level of patient independence.
Concepts
- Self-care: Activities individuals undertake for health maintenance.
- Self-care agency: The capacity to perform self-care.
- Therapeutic self-care demand: The totality of self-care actions needed for health.
- Nursing agency: The actions taken by nurses to assist patients.
- Supportive-educative system: Interventions that help patients develop self-care knowledge and skills.
Diagram
[Insert diagram illustrating the relationship between self-care, self-care agency, and nursing systems, showing how nursing interventions support patient independence]
Assumption
The primary assumption of Orem’s theory is that individuals can regain or develop self-care capabilities and that nursing care aims to support or restore this capacity. It presumes that health disturbances create self-care deficits, and nurses are essential in supporting patients through tailored interventions.
Metaparadigm
The core metaparadigm concepts in Orem’s theory include person (as capable of self-care), environment (which influences health), health (as a state of well-being), and nursing (as support in self-care activities).
Evaluation
Orem’s theory is praised for its clarity, practicality, and emphasis on patient empowerment. Its simplicity makes it adaptable across diverse settings, from acute care to community health. However, critics argue that the theory may oversimplify complex social and cultural factors affecting self-care behaviors, potentially limiting its applicability in multicultural contexts.
Clarity
The theory’s concepts are well-defined and measurable, facilitating easy application in nursing assessments and interventions. Its language is accessible, promoting understanding among practitioners and educators.
Congruence
The theory aligns well with contemporary nursing practices focusing on patient-centered care and health promotion. It supports models emphasizing independence, resilience, and holistic well-being.
Application
Orem’s theory is widely utilized in patient education, chronic disease management, and rehabilitation services. It guides nurses in evaluating patients’ self-care abilities and designing interventions to foster independence.
Level
The theory primarily operates at the middle-range level, providing specific guidance for clinical nursing practice while maintaining abstraction suitable for theoretical development.
Use
In practice, the theory is used to develop nursing care plans, assess patient needs, and educate patients about self-care strategies. It also supports policy development for community health programs emphasizing preventive care.
Weaknesses
Despite its strengths, the theory has limitations. It may not sufficiently address social, economic, and cultural factors influencing self-care behaviors. Additionally, in cases involving complex illnesses or cognitive impairments, the theory’s focus on independence may be less applicable or require adaptation.
Future
Future research should aim to integrate cultural competence into the theory, enhancing its applicability in diverse populations. The development of technology-assisted self-care interventions is also promising, enabling nurses to support self-management across various health conditions more effectively.
References
- Aitken, L. M., & Oermann, M. H. (2019). Teaching in Nursing and Role of the Educator: The complete guide to best practice in teaching, evaluation, and curriculum development. Springer Publishing.
- George, J. B. (2011). Understanding nursing research. Pearson.
- Johnson, M., & Webber, P. (2019). The application of Orem’s theory in chronic disease management. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 75(3), 447–456.
- McKenna, H. P., & McCallion, P. (2012). Introduction to health research methods. Sage Publications.
- Orem, D. E. (2001). Nursing: Concepts of practice (6th ed.). Mosby.
- Pajnkihar, M., et al. (2017). Self-care and nursing: An overview of concepts and practices. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 69, 162–169.
- Roberts, S., & Yeager, C. (2018). Cultural considerations in applying Orem’s self-care model. Nursing Science Quarterly, 31(4), 387–390.
- Taylor, S. J., & Bogdan, R. (2016). Introduction to qualitative research methods. Wiley.
- Weber, J. R. (2020). Self-care theory and patient empowerment. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 52(2), 125–134.
- Wilkinson, J. M. (2017). Fundamentals of nursing: Practice and theory. Elsevier Health Sciences.