Applying Orem's self-care deficit theory of nursing to continence care: Part 2

Headnote

Theory based nursing practice provides a framework for initiation of the research process. Orem's Self-Care Deficit Theory of Nursing clearly relates and can be easily applied to continence care. Orem's Theory guides nursing practice with theoretical concepts and goal setting providing a foundation upon which nurses can question the practice and expand the avenue for nursing research.

The flavor of Orem's Self-- Care Deficit Theory is rarely enjoyed and experienced during a nurse's early years of practice. With so much to learn, so much to understand, and so many new thought processes, the abstract theoretical concepts from theory-based nursing practice are one more challenge for the nursing student. As with broccoli, a child may turn up a nose with the first taste, but after experimenting with broccoli and other vegetables, the taste of broccoli becomes a favorite.

Changing thinking patterns to a theory-based practice comes with nursing experience and nursing logic, bringing together nurses in one voice and making the client's care unidirectional, while creating a logical method of practice. It allows for all nurses participating in the client's care to use a nursing model to offer nursing care. As many nurses report, "It just makes sense."

Theory-based nursing practice provides a framework for initiating the research process. It guides nursing practice with theoretical concepts and goal setting, providing a foundation upon which nurses can question the practice and expand the avenue for nursing research. Theory-based practice is timeless. However, the constant changes brought about by research can expand the theory to make it more useful in current practice.

Using Orem's Theory to Direct Continence Care

Orem's theory clearly relates and can be easily applied to continence care. The following is a case study (see Figure 1) using all three of Orem's theories: self-- care, self-care deficit, and nursing system. The case study is intended as a comprehensive teaching tool that would not necessarily be used in its entirety in every practice situation. The usefulness of Orem's theory lies in its unique ability to provide a framework upon which the nurse creates a logical method to guide assessment, determine the nursing intervention, and deliver the nursing care to the client.

Using Orem's Theory

Theory-based practice facilitates the application of nursing practice in "one voice,"...