Formal needs assessment in practice: An application of the MRC Needs for Psychiatric Care Assessment Schedule

Abstract

By way of illustrating how formal needs assessment can be applied in practice, a derivative of the MRC Needs for Psychiatric Care Assessment Schedule has been used to investigate the quality of care amongst 177 clients suffering enduring mental illness in a rural population served by a non-teaching hospital service. Needs differed from those of more urban populations similarly investigated but were no less well met. The exercise demonstrates the feasibility of such an approach and identifies some of its benefits and pitfalls.