Why Dorothea Orem develop her theory?

The need for a comprehensive nursing framework

At the time when Dorothea Orem developed her theory, the field of nursing was still relatively young and largely based on the medical model. This model focused on the diagnosis and treatment of disease, with nurses playing a supportive role to doctors. Orem believed that nursing needed its own body of knowledge and framework to understand the unique contributions nurses make to patient care.

The influence of her nursing experience

Orem's nursing experience, which included working in both hospital and community settings, taught her about the importance of holistically caring for patients and understanding their individual needs. She saw the need for a theory that would incorporate the patient's perspective and emphasize the nurse's role in promoting self-care and independence.

Her educational background

Orem's educational background in nursing and her study of psychology and sociology provided her with the theoretical foundation to develop her theory. She drew on the work of theorists such as Florence Nightingale and Hildegard Peplau, and incorporated concepts from psychology and sociology into her model of nursing.

The desire to improve patient outcomes

Ultimately, Orem's theory was driven by her desire to improve patient outcomes and enhance the quality of nursing care. She believed that a nursing framework focused on self-care and independence could help patients achieve better health and well-being.