OBJECTIVES: To explore the use of rapid appraisal in defining the health and social needs of a community and to formulate joint action plans between the residents and service providers. DESIGN: Collection of data by an extended primary care team from three sources: existing documents about the neighbourhood, interviews with a range of informants, and direct observations to build a profile of the community. SETTING: Council estate of 670 homes in Edinburgh. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Perceived problems of the community and suggestions for change. RESULTS: The interviews and focus groups identified six priorities for change, many of which were not health related. These changes have been or are being implemented. CONCLUSIONS: An expanded primary care team can use rapid appraisal as a first step in identifying and meeting local health needs. It facilitates a multidisciplinary approach and complements quantitative methods of assessing need.
OBJECTIVES: To explore the use of rapid appraisal in defining the health and social needs of a community and to formulate joint action plans between the residents and service providers. DESIGN: Collection of data by an extended primary care team from three sources: existing documents about the neighbourhood, interviews with a range of informants, and direct observations to build a profile of the community. SETTING: Council estate of 670 homes in Edinburgh. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Perceived problems of the community and suggestions for change. RESULTS: The interviews and focus groups identified six priorities for change, many of which were not health related. These changes have been or are being implemented. CONCLUSIONS: An expanded primary care team can use rapid appraisal as a first step in identifying and meeting local health needs. It facilitates a multidisciplinary approach and complements quantitative methods of assessing need.
Authors: Benjamin F Crabtree; William L Miller; Alfred F Tallia; Deborah J Cohen; Barbara DiCicco-Bloom; Helen E McIlvain; Virginia A Aita; John G Scott; Patrice B Gregory; Kurt C Stange; Reuben R McDaniel Journal: Ann Fam Med Date: 2005 Sep-Oct Impact factor: 5.166