THE EFFECT OF IMPLEMENTING OREM'S SELF-CARE PROGRAM ON SELF-CARE BEHAVIORS IN PATIENTS WITH DIABETIC FOOT ULCER

Due to the chronic nature of diabetes and its long process and the high prevalence
of foot ulcer complications in patients with diabetes and spending a lot finance and service of for health
care providers related to the care of wounds, using self-care programs such Orem's self-care program
can be effective. This study aimed to determine the effect of self-care program based on Orem's model
on self-care behaviors of patients with diabetic foot ulcers referred to Ayatollah Taleghani Hospital in
Urmia.
Materials and Methods: The present study is a quasi-experimental study. 60 patients with diabetic foot
ulcers referred to Ayatollah Taleghani hospital in Urmia were selected by available sampling approach.
All the patients had inclusion criteria, and they were randomly divided into two equal groups control
and intervention, each having 30 members. Data collection tools were demographic, measure of selfcare and assessment based on Orem's model questionnaires that were completed In two stages, before
and after the implementation of Orem's self-care program. The data were analyzed via SPSS software
v.16, using descriptive and statistical testes.
Results: The results showed that mean score of self-care status before intervention in the intervention
and control groups was not statistically significant (P=0.11). But the t-test indicates a statistically
significant difference between the two groups in self-care status after the intervention (P<0.001).
Conclusion: Implementing Orem's self-care program can cause the increase of self-care behaviors in
diabetic patients. Therefore, it is recommended to improve the patient’s knowledge and adherence to
self-care behaviors. The nurses should use different patient-centered communication approaches to
improve it.