Intervenciones de enfermería basadas en la teoría de las necesidades de Maslow

Abstract

Nursing Interventions are actions to implement a correct patient care plan, controlling their clinical status. According to Maslow's Theory of Motivation there are five basic needs: physiological, safety and protection, love and belonging, self-esteem and selfactualization. The aim of this study was to evaluate nursing interventions based on Maslow's theory of needs. An evaluation instrument with 14 questions and 5 response options on a nominal scale was developed. Seven questions on physiological needs, four on security and three on self-actualization. The survey was applied to 42 health professionals, 25 Nursing graduates, 12 Rotating Nursing Interns and 5 Nursing Auxiliaries in the Internal Medicine Area at Hospital General Docente Ambato of Ministerio de Salud Publica del Ecuador. The average age of the participants was 29.43 years old, in a range of 22 to 44 years, 23.80% men and 76.19% women. The most relevant results indicate that nursing interventions related to physiological needs are mostly applied "Very Often", preponderating breathing and feeding. Nursing interventions related to protection needs are mostly applied "Very Often" both in physical and emotional protection. Nursing interventions related to self-realization needs are mostly applied "Very Often" for recreation and respect; and “Sometimes” in helping to make decisions. The nursing professional at the physiological level ensures the survival of the individual and at the security and protection level seeks the physical and emotional safety of the patient. The following levels within the pyramid of needs continue to be important to the patient as an individual, but could have less importance in the patient-nurse relationship.