The item basic conditioning factors had the purpose
to identify the intervenient factors in the individuals
capacity to engage in self-care, either individual or
environmental. The item universal self-care was divided
into the following sub-categories, as Orem presents:
maintenance of and adequate air, food, and water supply,
care actions regarding the evacuation patterns, balance
between activity and rest, balance between loneliness and
social interaction, avoiding harms to ones life and body
functioning, and promoting human functioning and
development. The items regarding the self-care requisites
for development had the purpose to find what actions
the individual performs to promote self-care. The selfcare
requisites regarding health disorders explored the
conditions related to the therapy, knowledge about
specific ostomy care, control of complications, and
access to health services.
Three weekly home visits were carried out in January
2007. The visits lasted one hour, in average. The meetings
were scheduled by telephone, according to the patients
availability. In the first visit, we requested the consent to
perform the study and used the instrument for data
collection. In the other meetings, we referred to the
previously recorded information , emphasizing the
necessary care and evaluating the patients self-care
capacity.
Some steps were adopted during the visits, including:
1st visit: we evaluated the health situation of the patient
by filling out the data collection form.
After the visit, we established the nursing diagnoses,
according to the Taxonomy II of North American of
Nursing Diagnosis Association(14). For the diagnostic
rationale, we used the steps recommended by López(15).
Next, we elaborated the possible care interventions,
suitable with the first step of Orems nursing process.
This phase determines if nursing care is actually necessary.
For each diagnosis, we established goals that served as a
guide to evaluate the interventions delivered.
2nd visit: We discussed with the patient the
intervention priorities regarding her health, and adapted
a care plan, which se approved, and was adequate to
meet her perceived needs. The goals were compatible
with the diagnosis and had the objective to capacitate
the patient to become a self-care agent.
3rd visit: We evaluated the efficacy of the
implemented interventions, comparing how the nursing
diagnoses were presented and identifying the need for
further care actions. This referred to the third step of
the Orem theory. We prepared the patient for the
independence phase, in which she could perform the
self-care activities.
The data from the patients reports were analyzed
according to the determining factors of self-care
development, as proposed in the theory. The form