title: Self-assessment of health and social care needs by older people: a review.
abstract: This article explores the meaning and significance of 'self-assessment', a term that is increasingly being used in relation to developments affecting community practice. Self-assessment for health and social care needs has been used over a considerable period of time and for purposes as diverse as case finding for depression to assessment of housing options. Self-assessment has usually involved the use of short scales and questionnaires, but it can involve the use of physiological tests (such as testing urine for glucose) or complex, computerized decision-support systems. Although often explored as a simple means for extending the 'reach' of professional assessments (e.g. mass screening) and ensuring 'appropriate' use of health services (e.g. self-care algorithms), self-assessment is increasingly being advocated as a means of actively involving and empowering service users. However, a recent review of the topic (Griffiths et al, 2005) revealed the complexity of the topic and the pitfalls of a simplistic approach to self-assessment, which those engaged in developing the process should bear in mind.
authors.affiliation: King's College London, Florence Nightingale School of Nursing and Midwifery. peter.griffiths@kcl.ac.uk
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Griffiths
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006299:Health Services for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D012647:Self-Assessment; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires