title: Needs assessment: taking stock.
abstract: In 1994, the Scottish Needs Assessment Programme (SNAP) carried out a stocktaking review of all needs assessment reports in 14 topic areas produced in Scotland on the previous three years. National needs assessment documents from England in the relevant topic areas were also reviewed. The review identified two particular points for comment. First, in respect of content, the definition of need as "the ability to benefit'-while appropriate for NHS purchasing- must be balanced by a greater emphasis on the wider concerns for the public's health. At the same time, relevant economic and costing information should be incorporated. Secondly, the process of information collation for purchasing could be made more efficient. Closer links between clinical experts and public health specialists would ensure assessments based on timely opportunities for change. National reviews should provide generally applicable intelligence and comparative analyses; short local reports can then focus on local quantification and priority setting.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, University of Aberdeen.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Russell
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McEwen
mesh_terms: D003284:Contract Services; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006302:Health Services Research / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D011634:Public Health; D012606:Scotland; D013222:State Medicine