A literature review - Research Paper Example

In this essay, the implications of the theory with respect to person, health, nursing and environment will be discussed through review of a peer review article "A comparative analysis of Orem's self-care model and Peplau's interpersonal theory". As a nursing theorist and educator, Dorothea's first book came out in the year 1959 as a government publication and it was called "Guides for Developing Curricula for the Education of Practical Nurses." Dorothea then went on to receive a Doctorate on her theory from the Georgetown University.

The book, "Nursing Concepts of Practice" was published in the year 1971 (Comley, 1994). From then on, series of the theory were being published, the last edition being in 1999. The Orem's self-care model of Nursing incorporates 3 subtheories: self-care deficit, self-care and nursing systems (Comley, 1994). According to the self-care deficit subtheory, "individuals may experience self-care limitations related to their health state and may benefit from nursing provision of this care or augmentation of their own self-care efforts" (Comley, 1994) The theory considers care of one-self and that of dependents as a type of learned behavior which causes regulation of the structural integrity, development and functioning of the humans.

The nursing system ensues at that point of time when the nurse intervenes with the patient either to prescribe medication or to provide care that is intended to take care of self-care deficit and regulate his or her own capabilities of self-care (Orem, 1985; cited in Comley, 1994). Dorothea Orem considered all human beings as basically biopsychosocial beings with capabilities and willingness to take care of themselves and also be dependent on others. It is through these capabilities that human beings live and maintain health.

The ultimate aim of these capabilities is to meet 3 groups of needs, which are known as 'self-care requisites' and they are universal, developmental and health deviation (Orem, 1985; cited in Comley, 1994 ). The requisites of universal self-care mainly address needs which are necessary for physiological and functional aspects of a human being and include maintenance of food, shelter, air, water, rest, solitude, activity, rest, interaction in a social perspective, prevention of hazards and facilitate various functions of the human being (Comley, 1994 ).

On the other hands requisites pertaining to developmental aspects are those which are essential to sustain through the life cycle of human beings and include environmental and other conditions which facilitate growth and development. The last requisite, the health deviation self care needs mainly addresses the rise in demands which ensue following experience of illness or disease (Orem, 1985, cited in Comley,