Effectiveness of Orem's self-care model nursing combined with nutritional intervention in postoperative patients with colorectal cancer

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Orem's self-care model combined with nutritional intervention in postoperative patients with colorectal cancer (CRC).

Eighty-four postoperative CRC patients were enrolled and randomly divided into a control group (n = 42) or an observation group (n = 42). The control group received routine postoperative care, while the observation group received additional nursing based on Orem's self-care model plus nutritional intervention. Clinical indicators, including serum prealbumin (PA), albumin (ALB), total protein (TP), and body mass index (BMI), were compared between groups before and after care. Anxiety and depression were assessed using the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS). Self-care agency and quality of life were measured using the Exercise of Self-Care Agency (ESCA) Scale and the Comprehensive Oncology Health Outcome Scale-Quality of Life (COH-QOL-OQ). Patient satisfaction with care was also compared between groups.

The observation group achieved shorter times to first flatus, first oral intake, and first ambulation, and shorter hospital stay compared to the control group (P < 0.05). After nursing, PA, ALB, TP, and BMI increased significantly in both groups, with higher levels in the observation group (P < 0.05). SAS and SDS scores were decreased in both groups, with lower values in the observation group (P < 0.05). ESCA and COH-QOL-OQ scores increased in both groups, with great improvements in the observation group (P < 0.05). Patient satisfaction was higher in the observation group (95.24%) than in the control group (73.81%) (P < 0.05).

Orem's self-care model combined with nutritional intervention accelerates postoperative recovery, improves nutritional status, alleviates negative emotions, enhances self-care ability, and improves quality of life in CRC patients, thereby increasing patient satisfaction with care.