Needs Assessment Research Articles

Health-related needs and indicators of an age-friendly city: a survey from the perspective of older adults in a province in Southeastern Iran

BackgroundThe growing aging population is a significant global achievement. Addressing the specific needs of the older adults and creating age-friendly cities are essential priorities. This study aimed to identify health-related needs and indicators of an age-friendly city from the perspective of older adults in a province in southeastern Iran.MethodsThis descriptive-cross-sectional study was conducted on 1,000 older adults in Kerman province. Participants were selected through multi-stage sampling. Three questionnaires were used to collect data: the demographic questionnaire, the Camberwell Assessment of Need for the Elderly, and the World Health Organization’s questionnaire of age-friendly city indicators. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive and inferential statistics in SPSS 26.ResultsThe study results revealed that older adults perceived alcohol and self-care as the highest and lowest levels of no needs. Additionally, physical health and benefits obtained the highest frequencies for met and unmet needs, respectively. Friends/relatives mostly helped with self-care but did not help with benefits. In contrast, statutory services provided help with accidental self-harm but did not help with physical health. Age-friendly city indicators in Kerman province were found to be suboptimal, with the Community Support and Health Services index scoring the highest and Transportation index scoring the lowest.ConclusionThis study offers valuable insights into the health-related needs and indicators of an age-friendly city for older adults in a province in Iran. The results can guide managers, policymakers, and planners in developing effective strategies for elderly care at both national and regional levels.

Apoyando a la juventud [supporting the youth]: Latinx caregivers’ assessment of youth mental health service need and utilization on the Caregiver Support Services Questionnaire

Established service utilization measures depend on labor- and time-intensive interviews that limit the feasibility of large-scale studies seeking to understand utilization patterns of youth mental health services (MHS) among Latinx families. The present study describes the development of the Caregiver Support Services Questionnaire (CSSQ), a self-administered measure of perceived need for and utilization of common youth MHS. Data from 598 Latinx caregivers of youths ages 6–18 on the CSSQ were examined to (a) determine whether the CSSQ can be represented by cumulative scores and individual indicators and (b) establish the construct validity of the CSSQ. Correlations between CSSQ items had small to moderate effect sizes, suggesting that item responses within each scale were interrelated but provided unique information. Confirmatory factor analyses indicated that unidimensional factors for the perceived need and service utilization scales fit the data well and have excellent internal consistency. The severity of youth emotional and behavioral problems was generally associated with increased odds of reporting support service need and utilization on the CSSQ, which provides support for the construct validity of the cumulative scales and individual indicators. Findings support the use of the CSSQ as both cumulative scores and individual items to study support service need and utilization patterns associated with youth mental health problems among Latinx families.

Patterns and Disparities in Met Needs in Community Mental Health Services: Exploring the Utility of the Ontario Modified Met Needs Index.

Assessing client needs is integral to improving outcomes in community mental health services, yet tools to evaluate the extent to which needs are met remain underutilized. This study examines patterns of met needs and disparities across sociodemographic groups using the Ontario Common Assessment of Need (OCAN), a standardized tool adapted from the Camberwell Assessment of Need (CAN) and widely implemented in Ontario, Canada. Specifically, we applied the Ontario Modified Met Needs Index (OMMNI), a ratio-based metric, to measure the extent to which identified needs were addressed over the course of care. Using longitudinal OCAN data from 4,537 clients engaged in assertive community treatment, case management, early psychosis intervention, and supportive housing programs, we calculated OMMNI scores based on both staff- and client-completed assessments. Results showed that 74% of staff-identified needs and 72% of client-identified needs were met or remained met. At the domain level, safety-related needs had the highest rates of being met (≥ 85%), while sexual expression, intimate relationships, company, daytime activities and psychological distress were least consistently addressed (< 70%). Disparities in staff assessments were observed for younger clients and those with unspecified service languages, while disparities in client assessments were noted for clients identifying as transgender or non-binary. These findings underscore variability in addressing diverse client needs, highlighting opportunities to enhance person-centered care. The OMMNI holds potential as a practical tool for measuring met needs, identifying disparities, informing service planning, and supporting quality improvement. Further validation is needed to ensure its applicability across populations and service contexts.

Children who disclose physical abuse. A retrospective cross-sectional study of Swedish social workers’ assessments of risk, need, and decisions on service

ABSTRACT One of the challenges facing child welfare services (CWS) in Sweden is offering equal services to all children in need of protection and support. International research has suggested that unequal access to CWS exists but in Sweden the research evidence is weaker. This retrospective cross-sectional study of child welfare investigations focuses on the extent to which differences exist in social workers’ assessment of risk, need and decisions on services for children suspected of exposure to physical violence by a parent, which cannot be explained by the individual child’s documented risk exposure. A random sample of reports during the period 2018 – 2020 was drawn from seven CWS offices. Frequencies for background characteristics were obtained and comparisons between groups were performed using Chi2 and t-test. We carry out statistical analyses of the relationship between child and family characteristics and social workers’ determination of risk, need, and decision on services. We also investigate the relationship between documented risk factors and social workers’ determination of risk, need, and decision on services. Our study did not find any clear evidence of unequal provision of services based on child or family characteristics. Results indicate that cumulative risk and marital status appear to be the main determining factors for assessments of risk, need and decision on services. However, after adjusting for several background factors, the main explanatory variables underlying decisions on services are accumulated risk and economic stress. Although we must interpret these findings with caution, these results are in line with previous studies.

What Does Routinely Collected Pooled DIALOG, PROM and PREM Data Tell Us?

Aims: The DIALOG scale has been implemented as a routine patient outcome and experience measure (PROM/PREM) in East London Foundation Trust (EL FT). We used large routinely collected DIALOG data to assess impact of treatment across different domains of life and whether the impact of treatment changed with Community Mental Health Transformation CMH (NHS Long Term Plan). We also carried out secondary disaggregation analysis of pooled data based on protected characteristics interrogating through an equity lens.Methods: EL FT had commissioned University of Plymouth for the review of CMH transformation. Anonymised pooled data set was obtained from the electronic patient records that were collected as a part of routine clinical practice. DIALOG (PROM and PREM) scores captured routinely from CMH services in ELFT over two time periods (2018–19 and 2021–22) were collected for this purpose.The anonymised and pooled data was linked with stages of treatment e.g. assessment, review and at discharge and protected characteristics (age, gender, ethnicity and a proxy of social deprivation).14,813 DIALOG scores from 6,538 unique patients were identified. We analysed each domain of DIALOG separately and the numbers of return of scores on each domain varied depending on response rate. We compared domain based descriptive statistical analyses of mean pooled DIALOG scores looking at means across a range of variables for each domain and then conducted a series of multiple regressions for each of the DIALOG domains, to control for multiple variables togetherResults: Our results showed that service user satisfaction in each domain improved with treatment stage (from assessment to review to discharge) reaching statistical significance at each stage. There were minor differences between the two time periods (2018–19 and 2021–22) in a few domains. There was variation in outcomes across ethnicity, age and gender in a few domains.Conclusion: Large data sets of routinely collected DIALOG data offer valuable insight into the needs of the local population and impact of treatment. Assessment of the impact of the CMH service transformation was confounded by the pandemic. Disaggregated data on protected characteristics reveal interesting and useful information about experiences and outcomes of different population groups over time. Our study also validates DIALOG as a quality of life measure and patient experience measure scale that is sensitive to measure change. It affirms the value and depth that intelligence routine outcome data gathering can offer both to measure change as well as offering an assessment of population need.

Quantifying the Burden of Unmet Upper Extremity Care Need in Low-Middle Income Countries: A Four-Country, Cluster-Randomized Study

Quantifying the Burden of Unmet Upper Extremity Care Need in Low-Middle Income Countries: A Four-Country, Cluster-Randomized Study

Assessment of Forestry Professional Development Needs in Wisconsin

A well-trained workforce is imperative to managing effects of climate change, wildfires, stakeholder conflicts, and spread of pests and diseases. We conducted a survey to assess forestry training needs across Wisconsin. Our questionnaire addressed (i) skill gaps and training preferences of forestry professionals, (ii) barriers that prevent training engagement, and (iii) training outcomes that motivate participation. Survey participants represented urban forestry and forest management employment areas. Survey results indicate that tree and forest health, GIS, and conflict resolution are the most significant skill gaps for forestry professionals in Wisconsin. Job responsibilities and lack of awareness of training were most preclusive to professional development participation, while respondents were motivated by learning new skills and performing their job more effectively.Study Implications: Professional development is an intrinsic element to the forestry discipline. Providing relevant, valuable, and accessible training opportunities supports the continued development of a robust workforce. Our study confirms the discipline has neither sufficiently closed certain skill gaps, nor has it sufficiently addressed persistent barriers that impact training participation. Training providers may apply our findings and recommendations to refine their offerings and amplify their impact in helping professionals advance the forestry discipline.

Volunteer-supported Care Transition Interventions for People Living with Dementia: A Secondary Analysis of a Scoping Review.

Rising dementia rates can worsen the strain on the healthcare system and increase hospital admissions. Hospitals decondition persons living with dementia (PLWD), for which volunteers can offer support. We reviewed existing literature on volunteer-led/supported care transition services available to PLWD, assessing PLWD representation and the extent to which their needs are addressed. We conducted a secondary analysis of a scoping review examining volunteer and third-sector personnel providing post-discharge support. Of the review's 49 articles, we considered services offered to PLWD and persons with cognitive impairment (PWCI). The Camberwell Assessment of Needs for the Elderly (CANE) guided the thematic analysis. Four of our nine selected articles highlighted services supporting PLWD, though only one was developed explicitly for them. The most common themes of needs targeted or met were physical health (n = 7), company (n = 7), food (n = 6), medications (n = 6), and psychological distress (n = 6). We described the characteristics and outcomes of these volunteer-led/supported care transition interventions. Comparing the leading PLWD needs against those the interventions primarily addressed revealed potential oversight of their most critical needs. However, volunteers remain valuable in supporting discharged community-dwelling PLWD. In hospital-to-home care transitions, volunteer-led/supported transitional care models benefit PLWD and their caregivers. However, few available interventions explicitly focus on this patient population. Therefore, this is an opportunity to understand better how volunteers and third-sector organizations could optimally support those living during care transitions through an integrated care approach.

Needs of people with severe mental illness

Due to illness-related functional limitations, asignificant proportion of individuals with severe mental illness are dependent on external assistance to navigate their daily lives and achieve an optimal level of independence and wellbeing. The present study sought to investigate the needs, the coverage of needs and the influencing factors among people with severe mental illness in Germany. The study included patients diagnosed with severe mental illness. The met and unmet needs, as well as the potential influencing factors, were collected using Camberwell Assessment of Need (CAN) and Client Sociodemographic and Service Receipt Inventory (CSSRI) and subsequently analysed descriptively and exploratively. The mean number of reported needs was 6.4, with an average of 40.6% of these needs being met. The vast majority of patients (98%) require professional support, which is, from their perspective, inadequate (9-86% depending on the area concerned). Additionally, many patients also receive support from relatives (7-57% depending on the area concerned). The diagnosis, age, functioning, household income, and housing situation have an influence on the number and coverage of needs. The findings indicate that patients have diverse and complex needs, which are not fully met. Notably, the support provided by professional services is perceived as inadequate.

Socioeconomic inequalities in meeting the needs of the elderly in western Iran

ObjectiveThe increasing demographic shift toward an aging population in Iran highlights the urgent need to understand how socioeconomic inequalities affect the ability of older individuals to access essential resources and services. This study examined socioeconomic inequalities in meeting the needs of older people in Hamadan, Iran.MethodThis cross-sectional study was conducted on the 501 elderly people living in western Iran. Data collection was carried out from December 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023, among elderly individuals who were registered in the SIB (Unified Health System). system. Elderly were selected by stratified random sampling among 17 comprehensive urban health centers (CURHCs) in Hamadan province. The data collection process consisted of four sections, including: A demographic information questionnaire, the Abbreviated Mental Test (AMT) questionnaire to determine the absence of dementia, cognitive impairment and the Barthel Index questionnaire to measure functional independence status and 4) Camberwell Assessment of Need for the Elderly. Socio-economic inequalities were assessed using the concentration index and a decomposition approach, determining the contribution of each factor to the socio-economic inequality at 95% CI.ResultsThe concentration index for met needs was 0.15 (95% CI: 0.12, 0.19), indicating a concentration of met needs among the elderly with higher economic status. Subgroup analysis (with statistically significant results) revealed that the lowest levels of met needs were observed among illiterate people (53.09% vs. 92.11% (p < 0.001)) and those with dyslipidemia (55.86% vs. 65.98, p = 0.050). Education (60.38%) and economic status (25.32%) were the primary contributors to inequality in elderly individuals’ met needs.ConclusionThe findings reveal significant disparities in meeting the needs of the elderly, particularly among the wealthy, the illiterate, and those with dyslipidemia. To address these issues, public health initiatives should focus on expanding education and providing economic support to disadvantaged older adults. In addition, personalized health care for those with chronic conditions is essential. Proposed solutions include training health care workers in geriatric care, developing community-based programs with home care, and creating economic support packages for low-income seniors.

Youth with Behavioral Health Symptoms in the Juvenile Legal System: From Assessment of Needs to Interventions to Scalability.

This article provides an overview of the current state of assessment and clinical intervention approaches for youth with juvenile legal system (JLS) involvement. The review includes (a) a brief overview of characteristics of youth with JLS involvement; (b) current screening and assessment frameworks within the JLS that identify treatment needs; (c) an overview of effective clinical interventions for common behavioral health concerns among youth with JLS involvement, including information about tailoring interventions to address the multiple intersecting identities (e.g., race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation) of youth within the JLS; and (d) an overview of implementation models and scalability of interventions.

What services, interventions and support are available for People with HIV in England to manage their overall health and wellbeing? A scoping review.

The average age of a person living with HIV in high-income countries is increasing, as are rates of multimorbidity and frailty. To meet these needs, existing services must adapt. This review aimed to identify the existing literature on what services are available to undertake long-term condition management (LTCM) for People with HIV in England. A scoping review employing the Arksey & O'Malley's methodological framework was performed. Seven databases were searched most recently in October 2024 for studies describing services, interventions, or support for People with HIV in England to manage their overall health and wellbeing. Study inclusion was not limited by year of publication. Narrative reviews were excluded. Two reviewers independently performed data extraction using predetermined criteria, followed by a descriptive analysis. Forty publications were identified with six key areas where LTCM was addressed: HIV services, secondary care services, primary care, palliative care, peer support, self-management, and specialist services, suggesting that currently no service can undertake LTCM alone. If LTCM for People with HIV is to expand outside of HIV services, then additional HIV training is required for healthcare professionals with a focus on reducing stigma. Peer support should be at the forefront, and People with HIV should be involved in the assessment of need, design, and evaluation of services. There is a scarcity of high-level evidence, which justifies the need for further research and ongoing service evaluation to identify the optimal model(s) to ensure effective, equitable, and cost-effective care.

Assessment of the Spiritual Needs of People With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Their Caregivers.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive and fatal neurodegenerative disorder which poses multidimensional burden to patients and caregivers. This study aimed to investigate spiritual needs in people with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (pALS) and their closest caregivers, and to identify factors which may contribute to these needs. Spiritual needs were assessed based on the Spiritual Needs Questionnaire (SpNQ) as part of a longitudinal cohort study in pALS and their closest caregivers who were included in a multiprofessional pilot project for ALS in Southern Germany with a focus on neuropalliative care. About 61 pALS and 52 caregivers were assessed for their spiritual needs. We show that both pALS and their caregivers maintain stable and distinct spiritual needs over time, irrespective of age, gender, care setting, or perceived level of loneliness. While pALS emphasize generativity and inner peace needs, caregivers primarily focus on finding inner peace, which they value even more than pALS. Both pALS and their caregivers have strong unmet spiritual, and particularly nonreligious needs, which should be regularly assessed by the interprofessional team. Documenting these needs is the initial step in the spiritual care process, which requires a collaborative response from the interprofessional team. All healthcare professionals involved in ALS care should be attuned to the potential for unmet spiritual needs in patients and their caregivers. Early identification of these needs can facilitate the initiation of appropriate support processes.

Assessment of LGBT Needs and Health in Kentucky: Results of a Statewide Needs Assessment.

The health and social needs of LGBT older adults remain underrepresented in public health research, particularly in states where data collection on sexual and gender minorities has been limited. This study reports findings from the Kentucky LGBT Health Needs Assessment, a community-generated, statewide evaluation of adults aged 50 and older. Employing a cross-sectional, mixed methods design, the survey was developed in collaboration with LGBT community stakeholders. The assessment captured a broad range of demographic, health, psychosocial, and service access variables, with 672 individuals completing the study. Findings reveal a predominantly white, highly educated sample with a mean age of 59.5 years. Participants reported relatively positive perceptions of their general health, yet high rates of chronic conditions such as arthritis, hypertension, and obesity. While most found healthcare information accessible, 21% had unmet medical needs and 18% delayed care due to lack of affirming providers. Mental health and counseling services were especially difficult to access, particularly among rural respondents. Long-term care concerns were prominent, with strong preferences for LGBT-specific facilities and uncertainty about future caregiving arrangements and financing. Although participants largely expressed pride and comfort in their LGBT identity, experiences of discrimination, verbal abuse, and stereotyping were common. Despite high identity affirmation, community engagement was limited, often reflecting safety concerns and structural stigma. This needs assessment provides one of the first statewide snapshots of LGBT aging in Kentucky, highlighting both strengths and vulnerabilities in health and social well-being. Findings underscore the urgent need for inclusive policies, provider training, and tailored aging services.

The CANFOR Scale for the Assessment of Needs of Forensic Psychiatric Patients: Preliminary Report on the Polish Version of the Scale and Its Reliability

Background:The constantly growing number of patients in psychiatric wards (including forensic wards) is a serious social, medical, and economic problem. Therefore, it is necessary to study the needs of these patients. The aim of the study was to adapt and test the reliability of the Polish version of the scale for the assessment of needs of forensic psychiatric patients—Camberwell Assessment of Need—Forensic Version (CANFOR).Methods:The scale was translated into Polish and then back-translated. The study was conducted among 60 patients of basic and enhanced security level forensic psychiatry wards at the Provincial Specialist Mental Health Hospital in Poland.Results:When analyzing the reproducibility of the responses in terms of assessing the reliability of the CANFOR questionnaire, perfect agreement of 100% was obtained in 22 areas of need. Similarly, in the repeatability study of the CANFOR questionnaire after 2 weeks, perfect agreement—100%—was obtained in 24 areas of need. In the correlation analysis of the CANFOR with another measurement tool—LSP, significant values at the P < .05 level were obtained when measuring several variables.Conclusions:The study resulted in high reliability of the Polish version of the CANFOR scale. It is advisable to continue research in the area of psychometric properties of the scale, including the validity of the tool.

Ethnic disparities in care needs among individuals with cognitive impairment.

BackgroundAs more individuals with cognitive impairment and dementia (CID) remain at home, greater needs arise, necessitating additional support.ObjectiveTo examine ethnic differences in the needs of individuals with CID among Mexican American (MA) and non-Hispanic White (NHW) participants.MethodsAdults 65 + with possible cognitive impairment (Montreal Cognitive Assessment score < 26), and their caregivers living in Nueces County, Texas, were included. We used the Camberwell Assessment of Need for the Elderly (CANE) tool to study the needs (accommodations, self-care, continence, physical health, emotional well-being, social relationships, and availability of support networks) and their domains of individuals with CID including environmental, physical, psychological and social needs. Using negative binomial and Poisson regressions, ethnic differences were examined within each domain.ResultsA total of 473 participants were included. NHW participants (N = 150) were slightly older (75.5 versus 72.7 years) and had higher rates of MCI and dementia (55% versus 47%) compared to MA participants (N = 323). All participants reported high levels of needs (met or unmet). Furthermore, although NHW participants reported having fewer social needs (met or unmet) compared to MA participants (Incident Rate Ratio [IRR]=-0.79; 97.5%CI:0.63-0.98), NHW participants had a greater level of unmet needs when it came to social needs compared to MA participants (IRR = 1.85; 97.5%CI:1.33-2.57).ConclusionsFindings indicate high levels of needs among individuals with CID. There also exist ethnic differences, with NHW participants having greater unmet needs in social areas. Enhancing access to resources and support systems is essential for equitable support for individuals with CID across various ethnic backgrounds.

Assessing the Needs of Elderly People in a Home Environment: Perspectives from Patients, Caregivers, and a Family Nurse.

Background: Social demographic changes contribute to increased life expectancy and disability. The ability to maintain independence depends on receiving appropriate support. This study aimed to analyze the needs of individuals over 75 years of age living in a home environment. Methods: A cross-sectional study assessed support needs from the perspectives of the patient, caregiver, and researcher. The following research tools were used: Camberwell Assessment of Need for the Elderly (CANE), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Barthel Index, and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Results: The average total number of needs reported by the patients was 5.0 ± 2.9, by caregivers 6.63 ± 2.98, and by researchers 5.76 ± 3.43. The most frequently reported unmet needs were related to Accommodation, Company, and Eyesight/Hearing/Communication. A higher number of met needs (p = 0.006) and total needs (p = 0.011) was observed in individuals aged 85 and older and in seniors who had a caregiver (p < 0.001). Lower functional ability was an indicator of a higher number of met needs (p < 0.001). Cognitive function did not affect the number of reported needs. A correlation was found between the number of needs and depressive symptoms. The total number of needs reported by patients was significantly lower than the number reported by healthcare personnel and caregivers. Conclusions: The CANE questionnaire enabled the identification of individual care needs in the elderly. Although unmet needs were in areas that could be easily addressed, elderly individuals did not receive adequate support. Researchers and caregivers identified more met and unmet needs than the elderly individuals themselves.

Assessment of Educational Needs For Non-Neurologists Utilizing a Teleneurology Consultation Codel: a Mixed-Methods Study (S28.009)

Assessment of Educational Needs For Non-Neurologists Utilizing a Teleneurology Consultation Codel: a Mixed-Methods Study (S28.009)

Understanding the Impact of Parkinson’s Disease in Zambia: An Assessment of Patient and Caregiver Needs (P6-11.010)

Understanding the Impact of Parkinson’s Disease in Zambia: An Assessment of Patient and Caregiver Needs (P6-11.010)

The impact of generative AI on academic integrity of authentic assessments within a higher education context

Generative AI (hereinafter GenAI) technology, such as ChatGPT, is already influencing the higher education sector. In this work, we focused on the impact of GenAI on the academic integrity of assessments within higher education institutions, as GenAI can be used to circumvent assessment approaches within the sector, compromising their quality. The purpose of our research was threefold: first, to determine the extent to which the use of GenAI can be detected via the marking and moderation process; second, to understand whether the presence of GenAI affects the marking process; and finally, to establish whether authentic assessments can safeguard academic integrity. We used a series of experiments in the context of two UK‐based universities to examine these issues. Our findings indicate that markers, in general, are not able to distinguish assessments that have had GenAI input from assessments that did not, even though the presence of GenAI affects the way markers approach the marking process. Our findings also suggest that the level of authenticity in an assessment has no impact on the ability to safeguard against or detect GenAI usage in assessment creation. In conclusion, we suggest that current approaches to assessments in higher education are susceptible to GenAI manipulation and that the higher education sector cannot rely on authentic assessments alone to control the impact of GenAI on academic integrity. Thus, we recommend giving more critical attention to assessment design and placing more emphasis on assessments that rely on social experiential learning and are performative rather than output‐based and asynchronously written. Practitioner notesWhat is already known about this topic GenAI has enabled students to complete higher education assessments quickly and with good quality, leading to challenges in academic integrity. GenAI has transformed the requirements and considerations in assessment design in higher education. Authentic assessments are seen as a prominent way to tackle the GenAI challenge. What this paper adds We provide quantitative and qualitative experimental evidence suggesting that GenAI can generate authentic assessments that pass the scrutiny of experienced academics. We demonstrate how the use of authentic assessments alone does not protect the academic integrity of students in higher education. Our qualitative analysis indicates that markers may generate false positive and false negative results if they suspect GenAI tampering in an assessment. Thus, students' learning is not assessed correctly. Implications for practice and/or policy When universities and national organisations design policies regarding GenAI, authentic assessments are not the panacea; the focus must remain on assessment design. Assessments of learning need to shift from assessing output to focusing on process and relevance to the workplace. That would mean a paradigmatic shift from written assessments to synchronous interpersonal assessments. The move away from written assessments has implications that are far reaching for the academy if written assessments cannot be trusted as a reliable indicator for and of learning.