Community health needs assessment for health service planning: realising consumer participation in the health service setting

Abstract

Issue addressed: The aims of this paper are to describe a four- step process for community health needs assessment used in one community, to discuss satisfaction with the community consultation processes, and to examine the cost and usefulness of the process for guiding health service planning. Methods: The community health needs assessment included: collation of local health statistical data; community consultation using focus groups; community survey; and priority setting using a nominal group approach. This process was accompanied by an intensive communication strategy. Results: Health statistics data were collected for people living in Tomaree Planning District, NSW; four focus groups were held with 59 key community stakeholders; 391 community members participated in a community survey (78% consent rate); and 10 community representatives participated in a priority setting nominal group session. The types of service needs identified varied for each step, as did community satisfaction with each consultation process. Conclusions: Community consultations were an acceptable method for directly engaging community members in the health service planning process. The list of health service priorities generated through this process was used to inform the future health service planning process for the Tomaree community. (author abstract)