Development of health care needs assessment tool for the elderly

Abstract

Objective To develop a health care needs assessment tool for the elderly at home, which is in line with China's national conditions. Methods Guided by Zuluaga-Raysmith model theory, a health care needs assessment tool for the elderly was developed through literature review, theoretical analysis, expert review, expert consultation and pre-survey. Results An item pool of 10 first-level items and 72 second-level items, which were suitable for home-based elderly health care needs assessment tools was initially formed. Through three rounds of national expert consultation and pre-survey, an elderly health care needs assessment tool consisting of 7 first-level items, 10 second-level items and 61 third-level items was formed. The expert authority coefficient was 0.791, the expert positive coefficient was 100%, and the expert coordination coefficient was 0.935 (P<0.05) . Conclusions The pool of items for the assessment tool is reasonably formed, the results of Delphi expert consultation are reliable. The scale can be widely used after adjustment. It can help medical staff quickly and comprehensively understand the current situation of health care needs of the elderly, provide support for the accurate construction of long-term care service system for the elderly, and support the development of community/home care for the elderly. Key words: Aged; Health care; Needs; Assessment