A corporate needs assessment for the purchase of district nursing: a qualitative approach

• Published in: Public health (London) Vol. 109; no. 5; pp. 337 - 345
• Main Authors: Conway, M, Armstrong, D, Bickler, G
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.09.1995; Elsevier
• Subjects: Attitude of Health Personnel; Biological and medical sciences; community nursing; Contract Services - organization & administration; Family Practice - organization & administration; Group Practice - organization & administration; Health Priorities; health service commissioning; Health Services Needs and Demand; Humans; Job Description; Medical sciences; Miscellaneous; needs assessment; Nursing Methodology Research; Nursing Staff - psychology; Public Health Nursing - organization & administration; Public health. Hygiene; Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine; qualitative research methods; Surveys and Questionnaires; United Kingdom; Great Britain; Europe; needs assessment; qualitative research methods; community nursing; health service commissioning; Need; Questionnaire; Methodology; Health staff; Analysis; Quality; Service
• ISSN: 0033-3506; 1476-5616
• DOI: 10.1016/S0033-3506(95)80005-0

A qualitative research methodology was applied to a corporate assessment of need for district nursing services. Semi-structured interviews were held with district nurses and the transcripts analysed for common themes. The major determinants of district nurses' roles were the priorities and practices of other community-based services, particularly social services and primary care. Purchasing and contract setting in this area needs to focus more on the interface with other services.