Dorothea Orem's Self Care Nursing Theory Analysis

Dorothea Orem's Self Care Nursing Theory Analysis

The grand theory to be analyzed in this paper is Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory (SCDNT). The method used to analyze Dorothea Orem’s theory is Walker and Avant Theory Analysis (WAT). Theory analysis is a process of evaluating a nursing theory. The WAT is comprised of seven steps. The steps are defining the origins, meaning, logic, usefulness, details, structure and testability of the theory (McEwen & Wills, 2011). “Critical reflection of a theory determines how well the theory serves its purpose” (McEwen & Wills, 2011, p.95). Therefore, a critical reflection will be applied to the SCDNT. The purpose of this paper is to analyze and critique the SCDNT using the WAT method of theory analysis.

Theory Description

Origins of the Theory

The origins of the SCDNT began when Dorothea was asked to write the nursing curriculum for the Department of Health, Education and Welfare in Washington, DC. She along with other colleagues began the process for creating the curriculum and during this time the SCDNT began to develop. She published her first book on nursing theory in 1971 (McEwen & Wills, 2011). Also, she mentions that there was no particular theorist she based her theory (McEwen & Wills, 2011).

Meaning of the Theory

There are three primary concepts in the SCDNT. The concepts are self-care, self-care deficit and nursing systems (McEwen & Wills, 2011). In addition, authors McEwen and Willis breaks down Orem’s self-care theory with several requisites. They are universal, developmental, health deviation and therapeutic (McEwen & Wills, 2011). Plus, concepts of deliberated action and product of nursing are defined.

Definitions

The definition of self-care according to O...

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...g in positive patient outcomes. In conclusion, the SCDNT has been analyzed and shown to be beneficial to future of nursing

Works Cited

Barnes, J., Conrad, K., Demont-Heinrich, C., Garziano, M., Kowalski, D., Neufeld, J.,...Palmquist, M. (1994-2014). Generalizability and Transferabililty. Writing@CSU. Colorado State University. Retrieved April 1, 2014, from http://writing.colostate.edu/guide.cfm?guidedid=65

McEwen, M., & Wills, E. (2011). Theoretical Basis for Nursing (3 ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins.

Pearson, A. (2008). Dead poets, nursing theorist and contemporary nursing practice. International Journal of Nursing Practice, (14), 1-2.

Seed, M., & Torkelson, D. (2012). Beginning the recovery journey in acute psychiatric care: Using concepts from Orem's self-care deficit nursing theory. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 33, 394-398