Phenomena
My definition of a phenomenon is an observable event, occurrence, or experience that is interesting and maybe researched. In the realm of study, they are the focus of research or inquiry. For instance, one occurrence I experience daily as a nurse is prescription errors. Prescription errors happen when a patient’s recommended prescription regimen is accidentally deviated from without the patient’s knowledge or consent. In orTo increase patient safety and prevent future mistakes, it is crucial to research and comprehend this occurrence.
Concept
Concepts are abstract notions or mental models that reflect broad classifications or groups of phenomena. They give us a way to categorize and arrange data, and they aid in comprehending and elucidating the world we live in. For instance, “medication reconciliation” is a related notion in the context of pharmaceutical errors. Drug reconciliation compares a patient’s current drug regimen with the prescriptions made during care transitions to find and correct differences. It is a theory that enhances medication safety and avoids mistakes when patients transfer between care facilities.
Proposition
A proposition is a claim that expresses a connection between two ideas or variables. It is a testable claim that may be confirmed or denied by empirical data or other supporting information. Building on the previous illustration, a claim about medication mistakes and medication reconciliation would read something like this: “Implementation of medication reconciliation processes during transitions of care reduces the occurrence of medication errors.” This claim makes a causal claim that there is a link between medication reconciliation and a decrease in medication errors that can be verified through investigations.
Assumptions
Assumptions are underlying presuppositions or beliefs that are assumed true or accepted as accurate without needing factual proof. They act as guiding principles for conducting research and as a basis for developing theories. As an illustration, in the case of medication errors, it may be assumed that medical staff members intend to give patients safe and correct medication delivery. It also directs efforts to identify and resolve the root causes of pharmaceutical errors. This presumption acknowledges healthcare professionals’ dedication and ethical duty to promote patient safety.
Second nursing theory: Dorothea Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Theory of Nursing
The importance of self-care in maintaining and enhancing people’s health and welfare is strongly emphasized by Dorothea Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Theory of Nursing (Taylor, 2021). This viewpoint holds that it is everyone’s duty and right to care for themselves to meet their basic needs. Nursing intervenes to give supportive care when a person cannot care for themselves independently (Hartweg & Metcalfe, 2022).
The Self-treatment Deficit Theory is used in my current clinical practice when treating individuals with chronic illnesses who need help managing their daily self-care chores. For instance, drawing illustrations from some of the diabetic patients I care for, they find it challenging to control their blood sugar levels and take their prescriptions as directed. With the knowledge obtained through conducting an assessment per Orem’s philosophy of my patients’ ability to self-care, I can equip them with the knowledge and support to help them enhance this capacity and collaborate with them to develop individualized care plans that support their independence and welfare.
References
Hartweg, D. L., & Metcalfe, S. A. (2022). Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory: relevance and Need for refinement. Nursing science quarterly, 35(1), 70-76.
Taylor, K. D. (2021). Reducing Hospital Readmissions Using the Self Care Deficit Theory.
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