ASSIGNMENT ON MEDICAL SURGICAL NURSING

NAMES MATRIC-No

QUESTION
WRITE ON ANY HOLISTIC CARE IN NURSING THEORY

Dorothea Orem's Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory (SCDNT) is a framework that explains how
nursing is required when a person is unable to meet their own self-care needs. While it isn't
explicitly called a "holistic care" theory, its core principles align with the concepts of holistic care
by addressing the whole person—their physical, psychological, social, and developmental needs.
Orem's theory is composed of three interrelated parts:
* Theory of Self-Care: This part of the theory states that individuals have an innate ability and
responsibility to care for themselves to maintain life, health, and well-being. Self-care activities,
like eating, bathing, and exercising, are essential for human functioning. Orem categorized these
needs into three types:
* Universal self-care requisites: These are basic, universal needs common to all people, such
as the need for air, water, and food.
* Developmental self-care requisites: These are needs that arise from a person's life stage or
events, like adjusting to a new job or dealing with a new health diagnosis.
* Health deviation self-care requisites: These are needs that emerge as a result of illness,
injury, or disease.
* Theory of Self-Care Deficit: This is the central concept of the theory. A self-care deficit occurs
when a person's ability to perform self-care is less than their self-care needs. This is the
condition that validates the need for nursing intervention. The nurse's role is to determine why
the self-care deficit exists and what kind of assistance is needed.
* Theory of Nursing Systems: This part of the theory outlines how nurses can assist a patient in
meeting their self-care needs. Orem identified three different nursing systems or roles for the
nurse:
* Wholly Compensatory System: The nurse performs all the self-care for the patient. This is
used when the patient has no ability to engage in self-care, such as being in a coma.
* Partially Compensatory System: The nurse and patient both participate in self-care activities.
The nurse might assist with certain tasks while the patient performs others.
* Supportive-Educative System: The nurse acts as a teacher or a coach, providing support and
guidance to the patient to help them learn to manage their own self-care.
The ultimate goal of Orem's theory is to empower the patient to be as independent as possible. It
shifts the focus from the nurse "doing for" the patient to the patient "doing for" themselves, with
the nurse's role being to assist, guide, and support them in regaining or maintaining their
independence. This emphasis on patient involvement and personalized care, which addresses all
aspects of a person's life and health, aligns strongly with the principles of holistic nursing.

Dorothea Orem's theory is known as the Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory (SCDNT). While she
didn't explicitly call it a holistic care theory, its principles and practical application align strongly
with the philosophy of holistic nursing. The theory's focus on the entire person—mind, body, and
spirit—and their environment is what makes it a framework for holistic care.
How Orem's Theory Supports a Holistic Approach
Orem's theory supports holistic care in several key ways:
* **Focus on the Whole Person, Not Just the Disease: The theory is centered on the concept of
self-care, which goes beyond simply treating a medical diagnosis. Orem's three categories of
self-care requisites—universal, developmental, and health deviation—ensure that a person's
physical, psychological, social, and spiritual needs are considered. For example, universal
requisites include not only food and water but also a balance of solitude and social interaction.
This broad perspective encourages nurses to look at the patient as a complete individual, not
just a set of symptoms.
* Empowering Patient Autonomy: Orem's ultimate goal is to help a person regain or maintain
their ability to perform self-care. This focus on patient independence is inherently holistic
because it recognizes the patient as an active partner in their care. The nurse's role is not to
simply "do for" the patient, but to act as a guide, teacher, and supporter, empowering the patient
to take control of their own health and well-being.
* Individualized Care Plans: The theory's framework, particularly the concept of a self-care
deficit, requires a detailed assessment of the individual. Nurses must determine the specific
reason for the deficit, which could be anything from a physical limitation to a lack of knowledge
or motivation. This leads to a highly individualized care plan that addresses the patient's unique
circumstances and needs. The nursing systems (wholly compensatory, partially compensatory,
supportive-educative) provide a tailored approach based on the patient's specific capabilities.
* Emphasis on the Nurse-Patient Relationship: While Orem's theory is a structured framework,
its application relies on building a trusting and empathetic relationship with the patient. The
nurse's ability to act for, guide, support, and teach a patient requires strong "soft skills" like
empathy and active listening. This human-to-human relationship is fundamental to holistic care,
as it helps the nurse understand the patient's needs on a deeper level.

Reference:
Holistic nursing is a specialty recognized by the American Nurses Association (ANA) that focuses
on treating the whole person. While not a single theory, the philosophy is supported by many
prominent nursing theorists. Here are some key references that elaborate on holistic care and its
associated theories:
General Holistic Nursing References
* American Holistic Nurses Association (AHNA): The AHNA is the leading professional
organization for holistic nursing. Their website and publications provide a wealth of information,
standards of practice, and resources on the philosophy and practice of holistic care.
* Source: American Holistic Nurse