title: How do we know how much we need? Problems in determining need for long-term care.
abstract: As one solution to the widely perceived "crisis" in the long-term-care system, state and local agencies have developed methodologies which specify the amount and type of long-term-care services needed in an area. This article focuses on need-based methodologies, and criticizes the use of such formulae as a primary strategy to restructure the long-term-care system. The major weaknesses of this type of methodology are discussed, including faulty assumptions, lack of sufficient data, and the political character of the implementation process.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006302:Health Services Research / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000600:supply & distribution; D008404:Massachusetts; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000600:supply & distribution; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D011057:Politics; D014481:United States