Needs Assessment

Process for identifying the knowledge and skills necessary for achieving organizational goals Tool for identifying the problem and selecting an appropriate intervention

Purpose of Needs Assessment Identify root cause of the problem Determine whether the problem is instructional, organizational, administrative, motivational or attitudinal Focus time and effort on the right solution Bring practice close to educational goals Kern, 1998

What are some needs assessment models ? Problem-solving model Accommodation model Gap Analysis model

Problem-solving model Is there a problem now? Is there likely to be a problem in the near future? Does learner performance relate to identified problem? Do performance deficits cause/affect problem?

Accommodation Model What are recent changes in policies or philosophies? Are there changes mandated by accrediting agencies? Are there new knowledge, skills, or attitudes to be taught?

Gap Analysis Model What are learning goals and standards? How well are learners achieving them? What is the gap between “what should be” and “what is”? Can it be solved by an educational intervention?

Phases of Needs Assessment Planning Collecting data Analyzing findings Compiling a report

Planning Determine the current environment Identify the needs, problems, or gaps Where is the problem/gap? When did it start? Who does it involve? What are the issues? What are the priorities? What are the desired outcomes?

Collecting data oReview of available information Analysis of existing data Published literature Public health statistics Reports by government agencies or professional societies Audits of current performance

Collecting data oCollection of new information Focus group discussions Interviews Written questionnaires Key informants Direct observation Critical incident reviews Time-motion studies

Analyzing data Output of the analysis = prioritized needs Needs can be prioritized on the basis of: Impact Economic value Timeliness Frequency of identification

Compiling a Report Summary of purpose Summary of process Synthesis of findings (table and narrative) Recommendations

Summary Who needs to be trained? What needs to be taught? When should it be taught? Where should it be taught? How should it be taught? What resources do I need?