title: Implementation of an aspect of self-care.
abstract: This article describes how a nursing development unit (NDU), through the evolution of a self-care philosophy, responded to the changing needs and demands of patients. Patients in the NDU appeared to want to be more informed and involved in their health care. In addition, decreased length of stay as a result of increased sophistication of medical techniques and the need to have a faster throughput of patients has meant that a philosophy is required which is focused around empowering patients to take ownership for their own health care. The application of this philosophy is demonstrated through a case study which describes the experience of a gentleman who was cared for within the NDU.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mason
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Furlong
mesh_terms: D015400:Clinical Nursing Research / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016134:Organizational Policy; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D010358:Patient Participation; D010687:Philosophy, Nursing; D012654:Self-Care Units / Q000458:organization & administration*