The nursing theory that supports the intervention proposed in this assignment is the Self-Care Deficit Theory by Dorothea Orem. This theory emphasizes the importance of individuals taking responsibility for their own self-care activities to maintain health and well-being. Orem’s theory is particularly relevant in the healthcare setting as it provides a framework for nurses to help patients develop and maintain the skills needed to engage in self-care.
The Self-Care Deficit Theory states that individuals have a natural tendency towards self-care and that nursing interventions should focus on identifying and meeting the patient’s self-care needs. The theory proposes three interrelated concepts: self-care, self-care deficit, and nursing system.
Self-care refers to the activities that individuals undertake to maintain their health and well-being. This includes activities such as eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, getting enough rest, and managing stress. Self-care deficit occurs when an individual is unable to meet their self-care needs due to physical or psychological limitations. In this situation, nursing interventions are required to help the individual regain their ability to engage in self-care activities.
The nursing system refers to the support that nurses provide to patients in order to promote self-care. This includes identifying the patient’s self-care deficits, providing education and resources to help the patient develop self-care skills, and monitoring the patient’s progress towards meeting their self-care needs.
In the context of the proposed intervention, the Self-Care Deficit Theory can be used to guide nursing interventions to help patients with chronic illnesses develop self-care skills. This may involve assessing the patient’s current level of self-care and identifying areas where they need additional support. Nursing interventions may include providing education on healthy behaviors, assisting the patient in developing an individualized self-care plan, and monitoring the patient’s progress towards meeting their self-care goals.
In summary, the Self-Care Deficit Theory provides a framework for nurses to promote self-care in patients with chronic illnesses. By focusing on the patient’s self-care needs and providing support to develop self-care skills, nurses can help patients improve their health outcomes and quality of life.