The needs for care assessment - A longitudinal approach

Abstract

This report describes the use of the needs for care assessment (NFCA) in measuring symptom and social function in patients with long-term mental illness. The schedule recommends specific care interventions and these were implemented where appropriate. The problem status at the patients was reassessed using the needs for care schedule after the interventions had been offered and tried. The recommended care items were within the compass of our rehabilitation service, were rarely refused by the patients and there was on improvement in symptom and social function. These findings provide some validation for the concept of unmet need.