Dorthea Orem Theory of Nursing
Health care in the twenty first century is facing demands that are not only financially restrictive but also greatly influenced by intervening variables such as increased life span, an awareness of advanced treatment programming, and better quality of life. Unfortunately, however, with better health care there exists a void in the availability of trained professionals who are qualified to provide the necessary medical service, especially trained nursing professionals who are trained in, and receptive to, patient interaction in healthcare. In fact, according to Buerhaus (2000) by the year 2020 there will be a 40% shortage of required nursing professionals. Being a nurse in the twenty first century will undoubtedly become more complex and demanding than in preceding decades. With the advent of even greater technology, higher medical costs, and other better paying professional careers available, the nursing community requires an immediate infusion of interest, compassion, understanding, and acknowledgment for the services their profession provides. The remainder of this paper will examine the structure and purpose of one nursing theory applied to a particular cultural group and one specific problem of that group, n
Although patient involvement is a necessary component of Oren's self-care philosophy she (1995) also emphasizes the necessity of family involvement when dealing with elderly patient care. From a nursing perspective the family is recognized as an integral part of elderly patient care and that family involvement far exceeds self-care alone. Accordingly there exists within the family unit a system of care that is established to meet the self-care demands of the individual patient. Each of the care units is, therefore, interrelated and inter-dependent (Taylor and Renpenning, 1995). Without there being an interrelated system of care the possibility of elder patient depression heightens. amely, the elderly and depression. Both these situations have been identified as being more relevant than evaluating the nursing theory from a broad-based point of view. The report will pay particular attention to the Orem self-care theory and its usability in dealing with elderly patients. Important as well with respect to elderly care and depression is Orem's total omission of a usable definition of depression. In order to effectively deal with depression with an elderly population a nurse must be fully aware of all variables leading to the state of depression. Assuming that the lack of patient involvement in health wellness stands as the sole contributor for depression is erroneous. Elderly patients most often enter a care situation all ready in a state of depression, albeit mild or severe. Although acquiring self-care skills is important in reducing depression in the elderly people are only able to participate in their own self-care program when previous depression has been diagnosed and treated. Attempting to involve an elderly patient in a self-care program without previous information regarding depression can only cause the Orem system to fail. Knowledge about patient care must always include previous, present and future indices of health related matters in relation to the diagnosis and treatment of any illness or prescription for health improvement. The greatest intervening variable in the elder patient's state of depression is the power disparity influence when it comes to receiving heath care service. What is inferred here is that the nurse-patient relationship is extremely depersonalized and total control in the hands of the nurse. What the medical community is beginning to realize is that elderly patients are oftentimes placed into a situation wherein the nurse-patient relationship is one of patient dependence and vulnerability. The result is the depersonalization of treatment, a feeling of loss of control, and eventual depression. Without effective communication between nurse and the elder patient wellness program cannot be complete. Unless a nurse is willing to indulge in critical reflection and listen to the expressed needs, desires,
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Approximate Word count = 1925
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page double spaced)
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