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A comparison of client and mental health worker assessment of needs and unmet needs

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Abstract

This study was set up to examine agreement on needs identified by mental health clients and their primary mental health workers. Mental health workers assessed a convenience sample of clients who completed an interview about the services they receive. Data were collected from 78 client and staff dyads regarding 11 need domains. Mental health workers and clients did not agree on the number of needs (ICC=0.42). Kappa coefficients indicated significant agreement between staff and clients for only 1 of the 11 need domains (vocational need κ=0.67; others ranged from 0 to 0.58). The data further revealed that mental health workers and clients disagreed about unmet needs (κ ranged from −0.07 to 0.46). There findings show that clients and staff have divergent opinions regarding needs. Integrating clients' perspectives into treatment plans may help address this issue.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Aging and Health, Lakehead University, 955 Oliver Road, P7B 5E1, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada

    Michel Bédard PhD (Canada Research Chair)

  2. Research Department, St. Joseph's Care Group, Lakehead Psychiatric Hospital, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada

    Carrie Gibbons MA (research coordinator) & Gary Mack HBA (data analyst)

Authors
  1. Michel Bédard PhD
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  2. Carrie Gibbons MA
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  3. Gary Mack HBA
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Michel Bédard PhD.

Additional information

He is also director of research, Research Department, St. Joseph's Care Group, Lakehead Psychiatric Hospital, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada.

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Bédard, M., Gibbons, C. & Mack, G. A comparison of client and mental health worker assessment of needs and unmet needs. The Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research 32, 95–104 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02287331

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