Application of Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory in Advanced and Psychiatric Nursing Practice
Abstract
<h2>Cover Page</h2> <p>Application of Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory in Advanced and Psychiatric Nursing Practice</p> <p>Student</p> <p>Institution</p> <p>Course</p> <p>Instructor</p> <p>Date</p> <h2>Theoretical Foundations and Clinical Relevance of Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory</h2> <p>Dorothea E. Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory (SCDNT) is a well-known theory that is widely applied in nursing practice across the world. Orem formulated human-to-human healthcare as a science based on the existence of individuals as its central principle. She also stressed that nurse-patient contact must necessarily precede human-to-human interaction (Tanaka, 2022). Although many researchers have incorporated SCDNT into nursing practice research, some studies have specifically used the theory as their foundation. These include “Theory-Based Advanced Nursing Practice: A Practice Update on the Application of Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory” and “Application of Orem Self-Care Deficit Theory on Psychiatric Patient.” These studies were primarily based on and operationalised the concepts of the theory.</p> <h2>Application of SCDNT in Advanced Asthma Nursing Practice</h2> <p>In Yip’s study, a case study was used to demonstrate how the theory could be applied to patient treatment. An advanced practice nurse (APN) employed SCDNT-guided practice in a general healthcare setting (Yip, 2021). The APN was observed while working in the asthma department of a healthcare centre in Hong Kong.</p> <p>The APN’s care plan was compared with the nursing procedures outlined by SCDNT across four major nursing activities: diagnosis, prescription, treatment or regulation, and care coordination (Yip, 2021). The APN applied all four activities during the observed medical assessment. Within SCDNT, the APN’s responsibility was to apply practical nursing knowledge by determining how the patient could perform self-care to the greatest extent possible, considering the patient’s living conditions and available support services (Yip, 2021).</p> <p>The findings indicated that SCDNT is an appropriate theoretical model for nursing practice in primary healthcare environments. The model supported the APN in assessing the patient’s self-care abilities, identifying limitations, and developing appropriate interventions to strengthen independence and improve health management.</p> <h2>Application of SCDNT in Psychiatric Patient Care</h2> <p>Ali (2018) sought to demonstrate the application of SCDNT in the care of a psychiatric patient, using the theory as the foundation for intervention and treatment. According to Ali, the relationship between a patient and nurse within a nursing system may be wholly compensatory, partially compensatory, or supportive-educative (2018). A nursing system is activated when a patient’s therapeutic self-care demands exceed the abilities of the individual’s self-care agency, thereby requiring nursing assistance.</p> <p>Orem’s self-care theory also includes several categories of self-care requisites. These include universal, health-deviation, developmental, and therapeutic requirements. Applying Orem’s theory to the psychiatric patient revealed that the patient initially required wholly compensatory care because his abilities were impaired and he was unable to complete daily activities independently (Ali, 2018).</p> <p>Over time, the supportive-educative nursing system enabled the patient to develop the ability to care for himself. The patient’s needs were identified using Orem’s theoretical framework, after which appropriate nursing interventions were implemented. Application of the theory produced significant changes that supported the patient’s rapid recovery.</p> <h2>Contribution of SCDNT to Patient Independence and Nursing Practice</h2> <p>The two studies demonstrate that Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory can be applied effectively in different clinical environments. In advanced asthma care, the theory guided assessment, treatment planning, and coordination while supporting the patient’s ability to manage personal health needs. In psychiatric nursing, it helped identify the level of assistance required and supported the transition from total dependence to greater self-care independence.</p> <p>Overall, SCDNT provides nurses with a structured framework for identifying self-care deficits, selecting appropriate nursing systems, and promoting patient autonomy. Its application can strengthen nursing decision-making, improve individualized care, and assist patients in achieving the highest possible level of independence.</p> <h2>References</h2> <p>Ali, B. H. I. (2018). Application of Orem self-care deficit theory on psychiatric patient. Annals of Nursing and Practice, 5(1), 1-3.</p> <p>Tanaka, M. (2022, May). Orem's nursing self-care deficit theory: A theoretical analysis focusing on its philosophical and sociological foundation. In Nursing Forum (Vol. 57, No. 3, pp. 480-485).</p> <p>Yip, J. Y. C. (2021). Theory-based advanced nursing practice: A practice update on the application of Orem's self-care deficit nursing theory. SAGE Open Nursing, 7, 23779608211011993.</p>