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Knowledge
Base

Needs Assessment

Source: Dave Davis and St. Michael's Hospital http://www.stmichaelshospital.com/pdf/research/kt/needsassessment.pdf

What:
Needs assessment is the systematic process of determining the size and nature of a gap between current and more desirable knowledge, skills, attitudes, performances, and situations.
Purpose:
Results from needs assessments help in the development of effective CME and broader health system interventions.

Examples of needs assessment strategies:

  • Chart audit, chart stimulated recall
  • Standardized assessment exercises
  • Knowledge questions
  • Interview
  • Focus group
  • Questionnaire
  • Observation: direct observation, video observation, standardized patients
  • Morbidity and mortality patterns, epidemiological data
  • Federal, state/provincial, and organizational databases and atlases
  • Reflection in/on practice: computerized tools, office visit diary, learning portfolios, improve question-asking skills

Classifications of Needs Assessment:

There are different conceptualizations of needs. For example:

  • Felt needs: what people say
  • Expressed needs: expressed in action
  • Normative needs: defined by experts
  • Comparative needs: group comparison
  • Individual vs organizational or group needs
  • Clinical versus administrative needs
  • Subjective vs objectively measured needs
  • Inferred needs: derived from developments in diagnosis, treatment, technology, regulations, organizations, etc.
  • Verbalized needs and interests: informal comments, formal surveys, etc.
  • Proven needs: ie. epidemiological data, quality assurance/audit data, etc.
  • System or population needs: can be identified by population-based data and information about care-seeking behaviour and referral patterns

Points to consider:

  • Needs assessment strategies will depend on purpose of needs assessment, the kind of data desired, and resources.
  • A combination of strategies will provide a more comprehensive understanding of the situation.
  • Identified needs likely represent only a portion of existing needs.

Resources:

References:

  1. Aherne M, Lamble W, Davis P. Continuing medical education, needs assessment, and program development: theoretical constructs. JCEHP, 2001;21:6-14.
  2. Gillam SJ, Murray SA. Needs assessment in general practice. London: Royal College of General Practitioners, 1996. (Occasional paper 73).
  3. Lockyer J. Needs assessment: lessons learned. JCEHP 1998;18:190-2.
  4. Norman GR, Shannon SI, Marrin ML. The need for needs assessment in continuing medical education. BMJ, 2004;328:999-1001.
  5. Wright State University School of Medicine. Needs Assessment Guidelines.
  6. Anderson GM and Brown AD. The population perspective: linking CME to population needs. In The Continuing Professional Development of Physicians. Ed. Davis D, Barnes BE, Fox R. AMA Press, 2003, p55-65.
  7. Lockyer J. Performance of health professionals to determine priorities and shape interventions. In The Continuing Professional Development of Physicians. Ed. Davis D, Barnes BE, Fox R. AMA Press, 2003, 67-79.
  8. Campbell CM, GondoczT. Identifying the needs of the individual learner. In The Continuing Professional Development of Physicians. Ed. Davis D, Barnes BE, Fox R. AMA Press, 2003, 81-96.
  9. Grant J. learning needs assessment: assessing the need. BMJ, 2002;324:156-9.

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