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What Is A Needs Assessment
What Is A Needs Assessment
By Jacob Coverstone
Jcoverstone@aao.org I have no financial interest to disclose.
Objectives
Attendees will be able to: Define Needs Assessment Create and utilize an outline for conducting a Needs Assessment Understand types of identified needs
Normative Relative Expressed Perceived
designed.
address or support 9 of the 22 Updated Criteria and 3 of 7 Essential Elements [C2, C3, C4, C6, C16, C18, C19, C21, C22, E2.1, E2.2, E2.3]
It depends on what the meaning of the word 'is' is Former President Bill Clinton
Definitions 1: Gap Need Want Assessment Needs Assessment
Definitions 1
Gaps The space between what currently exists and what should exist. Needs are contributing factors What needs to be resolved to help close a gap. Needs often relate to barriers Wants are possible solutions A proposed means to filling the gap. Assessment is the evaluation of needs, barriers and
resources.
Definitions 1, continued.
Needs Assessment is the process of identifying and
measuring areas for improvement in a target audience, and determining the methods to achieve improvement.
Assessment
Needs Assessment
Action Plan
This is the foundation of Gap Analysis What is the current state? Where should we be? How does our region compare to others? Whats new? Whats important?
Both internal and external What Needs have we identified? Are some gaps bigger than others?
Consider both scope and severity
What are our priorities? Do we have the resources to address them? Why do anything at all?
How are we going to translate what we have into what they need?
Have any areas been identified for follow-up or future opportunities for educational intervention?
Gathering Data
Search for objective measures: Scope: How many, or what percent, of patients are exposed/vulnerable/expected to suffer from Severity: What are the consequences?
Assessment, an example:
It's 106 miles to Chicago, we got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and we're wearing sunglasses. - Elwood Blues, The Blues Brothers
It's not what you know, it's how you know it.
Needs (gaps) are identified in 4 ways: Types of Need
Types of Need
Normative Defined as falling below a standard criterion established by custom, authority, or general consensus. Strength:
Allows planners to use objective targets Need levels change with time and must be re-evaluated
Weakness:
Can lead to a priority for distribution of limited resources Limits resource allocation to under-performing areas
Weakness:
Focuses on situations where people have taken action Helps to determine barriers
Weakness:
Not all people with Needs seek help Loss of the bigger picture Misses latent Needs
Weakness:
Remember
Want and Need are not synonyms.
A Needs Assessment is conducted before the activity is
planned. Pre-Assessment is not enough. The more types of need you consider, the richer the planning process and the more effective the education.