title: A pilot study of needs assessment in acute psychiatric inpatients.
abstract: The needs of acute psychiatric patients have been less studied than those of long-term patients. A pilot study of needs assessment using the MRC Needs for Care Assessment Schedule is reported in 35 consecutive acute inpatients who had been in hospital for 1 month or more. Unmet clinical needs included treatment of drug side effects and dangerous and socially embarrassing behaviour. Unmet social needs were widespread and included household shopping, cooking meals, occupation and money management. Although the MRC Needs for Care Assessment was found unsuitable for assessing needs in very acutely ill patients whose mental status was rapidly changing, we did find it a useful instrument in more stable acute patients, both on an individual basis and for identifying service underprovision.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences, University College London Medical School, UK.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Stansfeld
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Orrell
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mason
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nicholls
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: D'Ath
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006778:Hospitals, Psychiatric; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D010865:Pilot Projects