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Needs Assessment Cycle

Vicky Moss
CUR/528
October 12, 2015
Siddeeqah Johnson

Needs Assessment Cycle

Needs assessments are used every day in our daily lives and in most cases our work place
environment. When we assess we are looking for the needs unmet, problems in an organization
or challenges, or gaps in services. In a perfect world the needs assessment will be the first step
in any program development.
The following needs assessment that I will discuss will follow the eight steps in needs
assessment.
Step 1. Clearly understand:
a.

The purpose of the needs assessment is to see if there is need for further training rather it
be formal or informal. The Improving Veterans Mental Health (IVMH) initiative is
transforming the delivery of VHA mental health programs to ensure that all Veterans have
access to a full continuum of recover-oriented, evidence-based, integrated mental health

services.
b. The level of assessment will be with EES staff and Office of Mental Health Services
c. Stakeholders include but not limited to: Veterans, Office of Mental Health Services staff
and VHA staff.
d. Budget needs will be determined after the needs assessment is completed. Possible
budget needs would be for travel and hotel space if free space is not found and utilized.
e. The time allotted will be four day training sessions. Planning time allotted will be six
months.

Step 2. Identify the specific information you need to acquire:

As part of disseminating and implementing evidence-based psychotherapy (EBP) in VHA,
OMHS is promoting the psychotherapy in evidence-based psychotherapy. Each of the
approximately eight EBP protocols being disseminated in VHA places significant emphasis on
the therapeutic relationship and on tailoring the intervention to the specific needs of the Veteran
guided by a careful case conceptualization and individualized treatment plan developed in
collaboration with the Veteran. Pain management is one of these EBPs.
EBP for pain management incorporates cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT can be used in
conjunction with or instead of medications. Providers teach Veterans different techniques for
dealing with their pain. These techniques can include:

relaxation skills that reduces muscle tension thereby decreasing pain

pacing and resting routines where the Veteran learns to complete a task in intervals with
resting between intervals to avoid over exertion

regular exercise routines that reduces physical de-conditioning

routines for difficulty with sleeping

Step 3: Determine whether the information already exists or can be obtained with your
resources.

The program has been held in previous years. Learners reported incorporating the knowledge
and skills gained into their clinical practices. Therefore the program has success in implanting
CBT-CP for Veterans.
Step 4: Design the methodology and instrumentation (if necessary). A needs assessment will
be conducted to identify what is necessary for the faculty to design curriculum and evaluations.
Step 5: Collect and analyze the data: The program evaluator will collect and compile the data.
They will be responsible for tracking of the data from the clinicians. EES evaluation team will
collect and report on the one month and three month evaluations.
Step 6: Prepare the report: There will be a 30 day report and three month report sent out.
Step 7: Disseminate preliminary results to key stakeholders to obtain their feedback. All
reports will be sent to EES Staff and The Office of Mental Health Services. An after action
meeting will be set up
Step 8: Formally disseminate results. Final results will be sent to all faculty and planning
committee members.
NEEDS ASSESSMENT
Program Manager/Learning
Consultant:

PM: TBD

Title of Program:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Pain (CBT for CP)

TRACE Code/Request ID#

Client Contact Info:

LC: TBD

TRACE Code: TBD

EPRS: ID#
Office of Mental Health Services

Program Office: Office of Mental Health Services

Office Number:314-555-5555
Email: TBD
Date Completed:

October 12, 2015

What is the history or root need to make you think

theres a problem?

The Improving Veterans Mental Health (IV

transforming the delivery of VHA mental
ensure that all Veterans have access to a fu
recovery-oriented, evidence-based, integra
services.

As part of disseminating and implementin

psychotherapy (EBP) in VHA, OMHS is p
psychotherapy in evidence-based psychoth
approximately eight EBP protocols being d
VHA places significant emphasis on the th
relationship and on tailoring the interventi
needs of the Veteran guided by a careful ca
conceptualization and individualized treatm
in collaboration with the Veteran. Pain ma
these EBPs.

EBP for pain management incorporates co

therapy (CBT). CBT can be used in conjun
instead of medications. Providers teach Ve
techniques for dealing with their pain. Th
include:

relaxation skills that reduces muscle te

decreasing pain

pacing and resting routines where the V

complete a task in intervals with restin
to avoid over exertion

regular exercise routines that reduces p

conditioning

routines for difficulty with sleeping

Is education the solution to this problem?

Yes. This training is an essential, core exp

of VAs national, competency-based staff t
CBT for CP. The workshop includes exten
small group exercises, interactive discussi
experts who provide live observation and
feedback to training participants.

Have any other interventions been attempted to help

correct the problem? If so, what was the outcome?

Yes. This program has been held in previo

reported incorporating the knowledge and
their clinical practices.

Who is the intended target audience?

Mental health clinicians namely psychiatri

social workers and nurses.

What is it you expect an educational program to

change?

Clinicians who have not been trained in C

become skilled and knowledgeable in orde
CP to Veterans seeking mental health treat

What will performance look like once its changed?

Trained clinicians will offer CBT for CP a

Veterans seeking mental health services an

How do you expect to measure success for the

organization? The learner?

EES level three evaluation; OHMS has an

process for evidence-based psychotherapy

If everyone identified in the target audience attended an

educational program, would that be sufficient to correct
the problem?

No. Trained clinicians are monitored and m

CP consultants to ensure they are correctly
using CBT for CP.

Are there additional non-education support actions or

policy changes that should be factored into planning
and evaluation (e.g. additional FTE, funding,

No

equipment purchases)?

10

Based on your target audience, what educational mode

do you think will best address this change (e.g. satellite,
internet-based, conference, etc.)?

Conference

11

Do you anticipate the need for particular educational

tools, a toolkit, or other products to further address the
problem and/or supplement and reinforce learning?

No

12

What strategies/initiatives are impacted?

VA Strategic Goal #1 provide Veterans pe

proactive, patient-driven health care.

13

Describe any needed/planned follow-up activities to

assure continued support to achieve the intended
organizational outcome.

Trained clinicians will be monitored and m

CP consultants to ensure they are correctly
using CBT for CP.

References
Royse D.,Thyer B. & Padgett D. (2010) Program Evaluation: An Introduction. Wadsworth,
Cengage Learning