Hostname: page-component-848d4c4894-nmvwc Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-06-21T08:45:59.515Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Needs assessment for mentally disordered offenders and others requiring similar services

Theoretical issues and a methodological framework

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 January 2018

Andrea Cohen  and
Nigel Eastman
Andrea Cohen*
Affiliation:
Section of Forensic Psychiatry, St George's Hospital Medical School
Nigel Eastman
Affiliation:
Section of Forensic Psychiatry, St George's Hospital Medical School
*
Andrea Cohen, Section of Forensic Psychiatry, St George's Hospital Medical School, Cranmer Terrace, London SW17 0RE
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Background

The government has highlighted the service needs of mentally disordered offenders (MDOs) and has introduced policies which have driven MDO needs assessment.

Method

Based on a literature review and a national survey of agencies likely to be conducting needs assessment, the paper reviews government policy regarding MDO needs assessment and examines the particular problems of conducting needs assessment for MDOs.

Results

A methodological framework for MDO needs assessment is presented, and different needs assessment approaches are discussed. The methodological and practical limitations of conducting MDO needs assessment are emphasised, as is the role of subjective judgement in both research design and interpretation.

Conclusions

Needs assessment is value-laden. Also, no single needs assessment approach can address all the issues of importance to purchasers and providers. Substituting the term ‘perspectives on need’ for the term needs assessment would help to reflect the lack of a single ‘truth’ about need and emphasise the role of subjective political judgement in designing and interpreting research on ‘need’.

Type
Review Articles
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 171 , Issue 5 , November 1997 , pp. 412 - 416
Copyright
Copyright © 1997 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Footnotes

∗

This paper summarises a research review which was commissioned and funded by South West Thames Regional Health Authority. It also draws upon the authors' experience from participation in and leading of needs assessment projects conducted within the NHS and funded by South West Thames Regional Health Authority and related purchasing authorities. An expanded version of the review is in preparation for publication by Gaskell.

References

REFERENCES

Brewin, C., Veltro, F., Wing, J. K., et al (1990) The assessment of psychiatric disability in the community: a comparison of clinical, staff, and family interviews. British Journal of Psychiatry, 157, 671–674.Google Scholar
Crown, J. (1991) Needs assessment. British Journal of Hospital Medicine, 46, 307–308.Google Scholar
Department of Health (1991) The Health of the Nation. London: HMSO.Google Scholar
Department of Health (1992) National Health Service Management Executive better (92)24: Assessment of Need for Services for Mentally Disordered Offenders and Patients with Similar Needs. London: Department of Health.Google Scholar
Department of Health (1993) National Health Service Management Executive Letter (93)68: Assessment of Need for Services for Mentally Disordered Offenders and Patients with Similar Needs. London: Department of Health.Google Scholar
Department of Health & Home Office (1992) Review of Health and Social Services for Mentally Disordered Offenders and Others Requiring Similar Services: Final Summary Report. Cm 2088. London: HMSO.Google Scholar
Donaldson, C. & Mooney, G. (1991) Needs assessment, priority setting, and contracts for health care: an economic view. British Medical Journal, 303, 1529–1530.Google Scholar
Eastman, N. L. G. (1993) Forensic psychiatric services in Britain: A current review. International Journal of Forensic Psychiatry. 16, 1–26.Google Scholar
Ford, J., Young, D., Perez, B. C., et al (1992) Needs assessment for persons with severe mental illness: what services are needed for successful community living? Community Mental Health Journal, 28, 491–503.Google Scholar
Fryers, T. & Greatorex, I. (1992) Case registers and mental health information systems. In Measuring Mental Health Needs (eds Thornicroft, G., Brewin, C. & Wing, J.), pp. 81–98. London: Gaskell.Google Scholar
Gunn, J., Maden, T. & Swinton, M. (1991) Treatment needs of prisoners with psychiatric disorders. British Medical Journal, 303, 338–341.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Home Office (1990) Home Office Circular 66/90: Provision for Mentally Disordered Offenders. London: Home Office.Google Scholar
Jarman, B., Hirsch, S., White, P., et al (1992) Predicting psychiatric admission rates. British Medical Journal, 304, 1146–1151.Google Scholar
Joseph, P. & Potter, M. (1993) Diversion from custody. I: Psychiatric assessment at the Magistrates' Court. British Journal of Psychiatry, 162, 325–330.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Lyall, I., Holland, T., Collins, S., et al (1995) Incidence of persons with a learning disability detained in police custody: a needs assessment for service development. Medicine, Science and the Law, 35, 61–71.Google Scholar
Maden, A., Curle, C., Meux, C., et al (1993) The treatment and security needs of patients in Special Hospitals. Criminal Behaviour and Mental Health, 3, 290–306.Google Scholar
Mann, A. (1993) Epidemiology. In Principles of Social Psychiatry (eds Bhugra, D. & Leff, J.). pp. 25–63. Oxford: Blackwell Press.Google Scholar
Mason, P. & Wilklnson, G. (1996) The prevalence of psychiatric morbidity: OPCS survey of psychiatric morbidity in Great Britain. British Journal of Psychiatry, 168, 1–3.Google Scholar
Monahan, J. (1981) The Clinical Prediction of Violent Behavior. National Institute of Mental Health. Washington, DC: Government Printing Office.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
National Health Service Management Executive (1991) Assessing Health Care Needs. London: Department of Health.Google Scholar
Nemitz, T. & Bean, P. (1995) Discrepancies and inaccuracies in statistics for detained patients. Psychiatric Bulletin, 19, 28–32.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
O'Grady, J., Courtney, P. & Cunnane, J. (1992) The provision of secure psychiatric services in Leeds: Paper I. A point prevalence study. Health Trends, 24, 49–50.Google Scholar
Rabkin, J. G. (1986) Mental health needs assessment: a review of methods. Medical Care, 24, 1093–1109.Google Scholar
Royse, D. & Drude, K. (1982) Mental health needs assessment: beware of false promises. Community Mental Health Journal, 18, 97–106.Google Scholar
Stevens, A. & Raftery, J. (1994) Introduction. In Health Care Needs Assessment: The Epidemiologically Based Needs Assessment Reviews (eds Stevens, A. & Raftery, J.), pp. 11–30. Oxford: Radcliffe Medical Press.Google Scholar
Warheit, G., Bell, R. A. & Schwab, J. (1977) Needs Assessment Approaches – Concepts and Methods. Rockville, MD: National Institute of Mental Health.Google Scholar
Wing, J. K., Brewin, C. & Thornicroft, G. (1992) Defining mental health needs. In Measuring Mental Health Needs (eds Thornicroft, G., Brewin, C. & Wing, J.), pp. 1–17. London: Gaskell.Google Scholar
Submit a response

eLetters

No eLetters have been published for this article.