Ida Jean Orlando is one of the renowned nursing theorists who proposed that the nursing process should involve effective interaction with patients as it leads to successful interventions and positive outcomes. The main objective of Orlando’s theory is that planning of care and accomplishing interventions without obtaining the mutual consent of the patients is unprofessional (Alligood, 2013). In other words, the theorist states that nursing professionals should seek the mutual understanding of patients before appropriate planning. After testing Orlando’s theory in several health care facilities and settings, nursing professionals have been supporting its implementation as the theory majorly considers structured health care through patients’ self-activities (Alligood, 2013). The theory significantly strives to empower the patients through patient-centered care and use of data systems in the delivery of health care.
One of the major concerns of Orlando’s nursing theory is that it is not only essential to meet the needs of the patients, but also to identify those needs. The theorist states that carrying out interventions prior to the identification of needs may not offer successful outcomes in spite of nursing activities being planned for the wellbeing of patients. It often happens because a nurse’s assumptions may be entirely contrary to the patients’ needs, which in turn deteriorate the chances of patients’ recovery (Alligood, 2013). Orlando lists two distinct actions in the nursing process, namely automatic and deliberative. Verbal and non-verbal patient behavior helps nursing professionals to assess the level of distress experienced by patients, thereby assisting them to evaluate the outcomes. Furthermore, Orlando’s theory involves a reflective cycle that reminds the accuracy and inaccuracy of a nurse’s perceptions, and enables open communication to simplify the patients’ expression of their views (Alligood, 2013).
With regards to the person paradigm, Orlando’s theory ensures positive patient outcomes through individualized care. The theory also guarantees connectedness between the patients and the nursing professionals, thereby facilitating communication and deriving positive outcomes (Alligood, 2013). Patient participation in every aspect helps to make suitable decisions and assures successful planning of care. The person paradigm is well addressed as Orlando emphasizes the dynamic nature and individuality of the nurse-patient relationship. According to this theory, patients in need are the major emphasis.
In terms of environment paradigm, Orlando’s theory is a downside as the theorist completely disregards this paradigm. The main reason is because Orlando solely focuses on the immediate needs of patients through patient-nurse relationships and makes no mention of caretakers, families and groups (Alligood, 2013). In other words, Orlando does not signify the importance of the impact of environment on a patient in speedy recovery.
Orlando’s theory replaces the health paradigm by helplessness as the theory emphasizes on those who are need of help. The theory does not consider the overall health of the individuals, which is another downside. Furthermore, Orlando considers the nursing processes as a profession that solely deals with patients who are in need rather than focusing on the overall health of the patients (Alligood, 2013).
Orlando’s theory significantly relates to the nursing paradigm as it keeps a check on inappropriate nursing actions that might lead to negative outcomes among patients. The theory also determines whether a nurse’s action is in accordance with the patients’ behavior. Furthermore, Orlando’s theory defines appropriate nursing interventions, which are crucial in difficult situations wherein patients require utmost care. The theory identifies nursing as an independent and unique process, which addresses patients’ needs instantly (Alligood, 2013). The efforts to meet patients’ needs are carried out with discipline, in an interactive situation, which necessitates proper training.
The opportunities to incorporate Orlando’s theory into the nursing practice can be utilized by focusing on the process of nursing care in an immediate experience in providing direct assistance to patients irrespective of their setting as it helps to relieve the patients from a sense of helplessness (Alligood, 2013). The theory can be used as an opportunity discover and address patients’ needs so that the actual purpose of the nursing profession can be accomplished. It is also important to note that Orlando’s theory creates an instant internal response within the nursing professionals to avoid distress among patients experiencing a need for help. In the nursing environment, Orlando’s theory helps to explore and determine what the patients actually need rather than what the nurses actually think for a patient (Alligood, 2013). Since the theory is dynamic in nature, it provides every opportunity to enhance a nurse’s individuality during the nursing practice.
Reference
Alligood, M. R. (2013). Nursing theory: Utilization & application. Elsevier Health Sciences.
