title: An evaluation of dependency assessment: experiences of staff, patients and carers in a UK hospice.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the experiences of health-care professionals, service users and carers of service users from a UK hospice in relation to dependency assessment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Qualitative evaluation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Purposive, convenience sample of hospice staff, patients receiving hospice services and carers of patients receiving hospice services.
  
  
  METHODS
  Focus group interviews with hospice staff and carers of hospice service users. Individual interviews with patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Staff felt the tool used produced inaccurate results, in part because of omissions in content. They did not perceive the data produced affected working practice, e.g. staffing levels. Patients described unobtrusive assessment and stated their needs were met. Carers reported feelings of isolation. They also described differing information and support needs from the patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Further research is required to improve the validity of dependency data collection. Further investigation of carer assessment is also justified.
authors.affiliation: Frimley Park Hospital, Portsmouth Road, Frimley, Camberley, Surrey GU16 7UJ, UK.
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Quinn
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Allan
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bryan
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D017028:Caregivers; D003858:Dependency, Psychological; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006738:Hospices; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing; D010166:Palliative Care; D006113:United Kingdom