Which needs assessment tool to use? Review of the needs assessment tools for service evaluation

BACKGROUND: Needs assessment enhance patient-centered care quality and is important within evaluation process, as well as for implementation of new services. Needs assessment tools can help clinicians to plan treatment and also to assess subsequent service impacts. Aim of the present research was to review quantitative tools for mental health needs assessment, that are either self-reported or can be used by professionals or researchers. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search in two bibliographic databases was carried out following the PRISMA protocol. Additional search was performed in specific review papers. Included papers are quantitatively assessing the needs of people with mental health problems and exclude people with dementia or disabilities. Also other inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied. RESULTS: The majority of all studies were published in English (n = 234). The majority of research papers (n = 163) were conducted in Europe between 2000-2010, while in other countries the trend followed the year 2011. Preliminary results are showing that there are 29 different tools for needs assessment and 17 of them can be used at the system level also as an outcome measure. The most frequently used tool for assessing the needs that can be also used as an outcome measure was Camberwell Assessment of Needs (CAN) also in combination with Health of the Nation Outcome Scales (HoNOS). As well Cardinal needs schedule (CNS) and Resident Assessment Instrument Mental Health (RAI-MH) were used more than once. CONCLUSIONS: When choosing an appropriate assessment tool, it is vital to use the most widely used ones, focusing on validated tools (culturally adapted), tools modified for specific populations (elderly, children, etc.) and also to bear in mind the ultimate goal that the service is aiming. CAN, HoNOS and CNS are assessing psychiatric and social care needs comprehensively. While RAI-MH is also a tool that is supporting seamless approach to person-centered care. KEY MESSAGES: • When choosing an appropriate assessment tool, it is vital to use the most widely used ones, focusing on validated tools and tools modified for specific populations. • When choosing an appropriate assessment tool, it is important to focus on the ultimate goal the service is aiming.