An introductionBy Jacob CoverstoneJcoverstone@aao.orgI have no financial interest to disclose.

ObjectivesAttendees will be able to:Define Needs AssessmentCreate and utilize an outline for conducting a Needs AssessmentUnderstand types of identified needsNormativeRelativeExpressedPerceived

When do you conduct a Needs Assessment?

A Needs Assessment takes place before the activity is designed.

Why do you conduct a Needs Assessment?The purpose of a Needs Assessment is to make decisions regarding priorities for the program.

If you conduct a proper Needs Assessment, you will 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]

Needs Assessments are about EvidenceCan you answer:what evidence do we have that our audience needs this education?what evidence do we have that our solution will yield positive results?what is the reason that we are offering education in this format?

It depends on what the meaning of the word 'is' is Former President Bill Clinton

Definitions 1:GapNeedWantAssessmentNeeds Assessment

Definitions 1GapsThe space between what currently exists and what should exist.Needs are contributing factorsWhat needs to be resolved to help close a gap.Needs often relate to barriersWants are possible solutionsA 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.

So important, it has its own slide.

What goes into a Needs Assessment?Normative dataEvaluationsObjectivesOpinionTimelinesBarriersResources

What does it take to get your activity off the ground?

So what is a Needs Assessment?Pre-AssessmentAssessmentAction PlanNeeds Assessment

Phases of a Needs AssessmentPre-AssessmentData collection. What do we know?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?

Phases of a Needs AssessmentAssessmentEvaluation of the data What are our barriers?Both internal and externalWhat Needs have we identified?Are some gaps bigger than others? Consider both scope and severityWhat are our priorities?Do we have the resources to address them? Why do anything at all?

Phases of a Needs AssessmentAction PlanHow are we going to translate what we have into what they need?Which Needs can we address?How are we overcoming barriers?List additional barriers hindering progressHave any areas been identified for follow-up or future opportunities for educational intervention?

Gathering DataSearch for objective measures:Scope: How many, or what percent, of patients are exposed/vulnerable/expected to suffer fromSeverity: What are the consequences?Discomfort? Pain? Blindness? Are there national standards for treatment?Can we do better?

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 NeedNormativeRelativeExpressedPerceived

Types of NeedNormativeDefined as falling below a standard criterion established by custom, authority, or general consensus. Strength:Allows planners to use objective targetsWeakness:Need levels change with time and must be re-evaluated

Types of Need, cont.RelativeMeasured by the gap between the level of service between similar communitiesStrength:Can lead to a priority for distribution of limited resourcesWeakness:Limits resource allocation to under-performing areas

Types of Need, cont.ExpressedDefined in terms of the number of people who actually have sought helpStrength:Focuses on situations where people have taken actionHelps to determine barriersWeakness:Not all people with Needs seek helpLoss of the bigger pictureMisses latent Needs

Types of Need, cont.PerceivedDefined in terms of what people think their needs are or feel their needs to beStrength:Easy to come byWeakness:SubjectiveSubject to the Dunning-Kruger effect

Problems must be translated into NeedsStrive to answer all 4 types of Need.Each type of need paints a different picture of the gap.

Needs are translated into ObjectivesBut thats another talk

RememberWant 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.

What gets measured gets managed Peter Drucker.