Knowing what you need to know about needs assessment

Authors

Nicholas Marosszeky, University of WollongongFollow
Mark D. Rix, University of WollongongFollow
Alan G. Owen, University of WollongongFollow

RIS ID

15378

Publication Details

Marosszeky, N., Rix, M. D. & Owen, A. G. (2006). Knowing what you need to know about needs assessment. National Health Outcomes Conference Wollongong, Australia: Australian Health Outcomes Collaboration.

Link to publisher version (URL)

Australian Health Outcomes Collaboration

Abstract

This paper reviews the scientific literature on needs assessment of individuals living in the community. Providing an overview of the field with a focus on capturing useful information for planning health interventions in the community, this paper will highlight:

• The current policy context that underpins the importance of needs assessment in health care;

• Key papers and basic theoretical concepts that can guide a coherent approach to community care needs assessment, including Bradshaw, 1972 and Stevens & Gabbay, 1991;

• The development of semi-structured interviews in mental health as a focus for designing new tools - with the Camberwell Assessment of Need (CAN) being the most well known;

• How to deal with the organisational issues involved with the assessment of unmet need in the community;

• The current evidence base for developing a national approach to needs assessment;

• And a brief look at the latest self-reported needs assessment instruments.