The self-care deficit nursing theory is a grand nursing theory that was developed between 1959 and 2001 by Dorothea Orem. The theory is also referred to as the Orem's Model of Nursing. It is particularly used in rehabilitation and primary care settings, where the patient is encouraged to be as independent as possible.
Central philosophy The nursing theory is based upon the philosophy that all "patients wish to care for themselves". They can recover more quickly and holistically if they are allowed to perform their own self-cares to the best of their ability. Orem's self-care deficit nursing theory emphasized on establishing the nursing perspectives regarding human and practice.Shah, M., Abdullah, A., & Khan, H. (2015). Compare and Contrast of Grand Theories: Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Theory and Roy’s Adaptation Model. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NURSING, 5(1).
Self-care requisites Self-care requisites are groups of needs or requirements that Orem identified. They are classified as either: Universal self-care requisites (needs that all people have) Developmental self-care requisites: maturational: progress toward higher levels of maturation situational: prevention of deleterious effects related to development Health deviation requisites: those needs that arise as a result of a patient's condition.
Self-care deficits When an individual is unable to meet their own self-care requisites, a "self-care deficit" occurs. It is the job of the Registered Nurse to determine these deficits, and define a support modality.
Support modalities Nurses are encouraged to rate their patient's dependencies or each of the self-care deficits on the following scale:
Total Compensation Partial Compensation Educative/Supportive
Universal Self-Care Requisites (SCRs) The Universal Self-Care Requisites that are needed for health are:
Air Water Food Elimination Activity and Rest Solitude and Social Interaction Hazard Prevention Promotion of Normality
The nurse is encouraged to assign a support modality to each of the self-care requisites.
References
External links Dorothea Orem's Self-Care Theory Dorothea Orem's Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory Hartweg, Donna (1991). Dorothea Orem: Self-Care Deficit Theory. Notes on Nursing Theories 4. Sage Publications. p. 1. Renpenning KM, SozWiss GB, Denyes MJ, Orem DE, Taylor SG. Nurs Sci Q. 2011 Explication of the nature and meaning of nursing diagnosis.Apr;24(2):130-6. doi: 10.1177/0894318411399451 Orem DE, Taylor SG.Nurs Sci Q. 2011 Reflections on nursing practice science: the nature, the structure, and the foundation of nursing sciences.Jan;24(1):35-41. doi: 10.1177/0894318410389 Medical Archives of the Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions Dorothea Orem Collection