What major contribution did Dorothea Orem make to nursing theory?

Dorothea Orem made a significant contribution to nursing theory through her development of the self-care deficit theory. This theory emphasizes the individual's ability to perform self-care and acknowledges that patients often experience deficits in their self-care abilities due to illness or disability. Orem's model identifies the importance of nursing intervention in helping individuals meet their self-care needs, thereby enhancing their independence and promoting overall health.

Within her framework, Orem outlined three interrelated theories: the theory of self-care, the theory of self-care deficit, and the theory of nursing systems. The self-care theory describes the activities individuals initiate and perform on their own behalf to maintain life, health, and well-being. The self-care deficit theory specifically addresses the situation in which individuals are unable to meet these self-care needs, thereby requiring nursing assistance. Finally, her nursing systems theory describes how nurses can assist patients based on their self-care deficits, further demonstrating the practical application of her theory in clinical settings.

Orem's self-care deficit theory has had a lasting impact on nursing practice by encouraging nurses to assess their patients' self-care capabilities and providing support tailored to individual needs. This approach has influenced patient outcomes and established a foundation for promoting independence and empowerment in patients.