Specialty area and population of care.

Discuss the development of the Theory - when, why, by whom, what discipline, revisions (include dates and description of changes)
What is the purpose of the Theory?
What are the assumptions of the Theory?
What are the key concepts and propositions of the Theory?
Part 2: Critique of the Theory

Are the origins, background, philosophy, and values of the theory clear and understandable?
Are the structural components of the theory (assumptions, concepts and propositions) well-articulated and logical?
How simple or complex is this theory?
What is the theory’s unique focus?
Is the theory general or explicit to an area of specialization?
What is the significance of the theory?
Has the theory advanced nursing education, research, or clinical practice?
Part 3: Application of the Theory in Nursing Research

Identify one published article that has used the theory you selected within your specialty area and your population of interest. Provide an APA reference for the article.
Based on the article discuss how the theory guided the research study. Did the theory guide the research question or study hypotheses? Did the theory guide the design of the study, sample, setting, instruments selected, data analyses or interpretation of the results, if the study was a quantitative study (i.e. using statistics)? If the study was a qualitative study (i.e. interviews or observations), did the theory guide the research question, qualitative design selected, how to analyze the data, and the interpretation of the study results?
For either quantitative or qualitative studies, were the concepts and propositions of the theory supported based on the study’s results? Did the authors discuss the results within the context of the theory? If so, what was stated by the authors to support or refute the theory? Were any modifications to the theory suggested or future research studies suggested to advance the theory?

Full Answer Section

      Key Concepts and Propositions
  • Self-care: Activities that individuals perform to maintain their health and well-being.
  • Self-care deficit: The inability to meet self-care needs.
  • Nursing agency: The actions of nurses to assist individuals in meeting their self-care needs.
  • Therapeutic self-care demand: The amount of energy required to meet self-care needs.

Critique of Orem's Self-Care Deficit Theory

  • Clarity and Understandability: Orem's theory is relatively clear and understandable, with well-defined concepts and propositions.
  • Structural Components: The theory's structure is logical and well-articulated. The concepts and propositions are interconnected and contribute to the overall framework.
  • Complexity: The theory can be considered moderately complex, especially when applied to complex clinical situations.
  • Unique Focus: The theory's unique focus on self-care distinguishes it from other nursing theories.
  • Generality: The theory is applicable to a wide range of nursing situations, making it a valuable tool for practice.
  • Significance: Orem's theory has significantly advanced nursing education, research, and practice by providing a framework for assessing and addressing patient needs.

Application of Orem's Self-Care Deficit Theory in Nursing Research

A Study Example:

  • Title: The Impact of a Self-Care Education Program on Self-Care Behaviors in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure.
  • How the Theory Guided the Study:
    • Research Question: Does a self-care education program improve self-care behaviors in patients with chronic heart failure?
    • Design: A randomized controlled trial.
    • Sample: Patients with chronic heart failure.
    • Intervention: A self-care education program based on Orem's Self-Care Deficit Theory.
    • Data Analysis: Statistical analysis to compare the self-care behaviors of the intervention and control groups.
    • Interpretation of Results: The study found that the intervention group had significantly improved self-care behaviors compared to the control group. This supported the theory's proposition that nursing interventions can enhance self-care.

The authors likely used Orem's theory to:

  • Frame the research problem and develop the research question.
  • Guide the development of the self-care education intervention.
  • Identify relevant outcome measures for assessing self-care behaviors.
  • Interpret the study findings within the context of the theory.

By applying Orem's Self-Care Deficit Theory, the researchers were able to demonstrate the effectiveness of a nursing intervention in improving patient outcomes.

   

Sample Answer

     

Prompt: Evaluate a Nursing Theory

Note: To provide a comprehensive and accurate analysis, please specify the nursing theory you'd like to explore. However, I can provide a general framework for evaluating a nursing theory, using Orem's Self-Care Deficit Theory as an example.

Orem's Self-Care Deficit Theory

Development

  • When: Late 1950s and early 1960s
  • Why: To provide a framework for nursing practice that emphasized the importance of self-care and the role of nurses in assisting individuals with self-care deficits.
  • By Whom: Dorothea Orem, a nursing theorist and educator.
  • Discipline: Nursing