Effects of Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Theory-Based Self-Care Education Programme on Quality of Life, Self-Energy Efficiency, Mental Health and Nursing Satisfaction in Elderly Patients with Prostate Cancer

This study retrospectively analysed the impact of self-care education based on Orem's self-care deficit theory on elderly male patients with prostate cancer (PCa). Medical records of elderly male patients admitted to our hospital for PCa from January 2021 to January 2024 were retrospectively collected. Patients were divided into two groups on the basis of the nursing approach: The Orem group (receiving self-care education that is based on Orem's self-care deficit theory) and the conventional group (receiving routine nursing care). Self-efficacy, quality of life (QOL), psychological health and nursing satisfaction were compared between the two groups. A total of 86 male patients with PCa were included in the study (Orem group n = 41, conventional group n = 45), with no statistically significant differences in age, tumour staging, comorbidities nor other general medical history between the two groups (p > 0.05). After 6 months of nursing care, both groups showed improvements in self-efficacy, QOL and psychological health. However, the Orem group demonstrated better scores in all aspects, with statistically significant differences (p < 0.05). The nursing satisfaction rate in the Orem group was 90.24%, which was superior to the 75.56% of the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Compared with the traditional routine nursing care, self-care education based on Orem's self-care deficit theory can effectively improve the self-efficacy, QOL and psychological health of elderly patients with PCa. It is worth promoting in clinical practice.