¶ … Theorist
In the field of Nursing there are those individuals who had a major impact upon the way care is provided. One such person is Dorthea Orem. She developed a critical care theory that redefined the industry. To fully understand these ideas requires studying Orem's Self-Care Theory / Theoretical Framework and analyzing the different components of this approach. Together, these elements will offer specific insights about how these principals can be utilized in a modern health care environment.
Development of Orem's Self-Care Theory and Theoretical Framework
The development of Orem's Self-Care Theory was based upon experiences that Dorthea Orem would have in the real world. What happened was her positions in government gave her the ability to see the potential impact of nursing and the challenges of many individuals in the field. This took place between 1949 and 1980. During this time is when Orem was serving on the Indiana State Board of Health, in the Office of Education and on the Nursing Model Committee. The...
(Hartweg, 1991, pp. 3 -- 14)
This is when she would visit with nurses, patients and doctors. A common theme that was discussed is how nurses should be allowed to do more in improving the quality of care patients are receiving. This can be accomplished by having them serve a role as caregiver and educator. At the heart of the treatment, was to have the patients' take responsibility for their health. To achieve this goal Orem outlined several different principals to include: everyone should be self-reliant, educating the patient is a part of self-care and new behaviors must be learned in a social -- cultural context. ("Orem's Self-Care Deficit Theory," 2011) This is radically different from many traditional theories, which often had nurses playing less of a supporting role. As a result, the theoretical framework of this theory is based upon having the patient to be as self-reliant as possible. (Hartweg, 1991, pp. 3 -- 14)
Analysis…
