Rapid needs assessment during crises – Developing a tool for public health authorities to assess needs and problems of affected populations
Abstract as pdf
Corresponding Author:
Femke de Zwart
National Institute for Public Health and the Environment Netherlands
femke.de.zwart@rivm.nl
Author(s):
Mark Bosmans1 , Michel Duckers2 , Martine Vliek-Mulder3 and Christos Baliatsas4
1Netherlands Institute For Health Services Research, M.Bosmans@Nivel.Nl, NLD
2Netherlands Institute For Health Services Research, M.Duckers@Nivel.Nl, NLD
3Municipal Health Services Zaanstreek-Waterland, Martine.Vliek@Rivm.Nl, NLD
4Netherlands Institute For Health Services Research, C.Baliatsas@Nivel.Nl, NLD
Background:
One of the key elements in providing adequate mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) to people affected by crises, is knowing what their needs are. Our objective was to build upon previous international research about existing tools and experiences with rapid needs assessments (RNA) and develop a RNA tool which can provide meaningful guidance to public health authorities in the Netherlands. The tool should serve two objectives: (1) It should be possible to conduct the RNA in 1-2 weeks, (2) The results of the assessment should assist Municipal Health Services (MHS) organizations in supporting policy-makers on providing MHPSS services to affected populations.
Method:
A systematic review of the literature was conducted to search for possibly useful tools or guidelines. Alongside, a series of interviews was performed among Dutch experts on disaster and environmental health research, to learn from their experiences with performing needs assessments. Based on this information a draft RNA-instrument was created, structured along the types of services distinguished within the Dutch national evidence-based MHPSS guidelines, and tested in several workshops.[1]
Results:
The results of our literature review were similar to those reported in 2010 by Korteweg et al.[2] Several methods and instruments are available and tested. However, there is no international consensus on how best to perform an RNA. Although interviews pointed at potentially useful data sources and instruments, there are no ready to use formats or guidelines for the Dutch situation. We designed a tool ourselves, based on the gathered information and structured along three parts: relevant questions to answer about needs and problems; sources of existing data MHS organizations can use; and a variety of methods to collect additional information among affected populations. At the moment of submission of this abstract, the tool is still being developed.
Discussion:
The instrument will be further accustomed to specific preferences of the target users. In general, the MHS representatives underscored the relevance of conducting an RNA and considered the dialogue with colleagues from different disciplines valuable. Since new data sources and techniques become available constantly, it is important to update the tool periodically.
[1] Impact (2014). Multidisciplinaire Richtlijn psychosociale hulp bij rampen en crises.
[2] Korteweg et al. (2010). Rapid Health and needs assessments after disasters: a systematic review. BMC Public Health, 10(1), 295.
Focus on human needs: Understanding good and bad practices in public health crises