Nursing Theorist

Dorothea Orem
(1970, 1985)
Self-Care Deficit Theory



Self-Care Deficit Theory

• Defined Nursing: “The act of assisting others in the provision and management of self-care to maintain/improve human functioning at home level of effectiveness.”
• Focuses on activities that adult individuals perform on their own behalf to maintain life, health and well-being.
• Has a strong health promotion and maintenance focus.
• Identified 3 related concepts:

1. Self-care - activities an Individual performs independently throughout life to promote and maintain personal well-being.
2. Health - results when self-care agency (Individual’s ability) is not adequate to meet the known self-care needs.
3. Nursing System - nursing interventions needed when Individual is unable to perform the necessary self-care activities