Needs assessment of community health practitioners for community care competency of older adults

Abstract

Purpose: To identify needs and priorities of community care competency for older adults among community health practitioners. Methods: Data were collected from a convenient sample of 326 community health practitioners using an online questionnaire, which included items on community care competencies and personal characteristics. Items were developed through literature review, consultation meeting, content validity verification, and preliminary investigation. The data were analyzed using the t-test, one-way ANOVA, and Scheffe’s test with SPSS 25.0. The analysis of needs and priorities was conducted by using the Borich needs assessment and the Locus for focus model. Results: Three competencies have been identified as high-priority needs; ‘Linkages with resources’, ‘Education to others’, ‘Leadership and management’. Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate the need to develop an educational program for community health practitioners to strengthen community care competencies. The programs will need to be provided, especially for young community health practitioners, to ensure that they are well equipped to care for community-dwelling older adults living in rural areas.