Needs assessment for continuing education through a group approach and an individual approach

Abstract

Introduction: Continuing education must respond to the social needs of health within the historical and social context of the professionals, it is necessary to have accurate information about the needs updating personnel in health.
The traditional method commonly uses a single survey, and identifies individual or perceived needs of staff, without reference to the real needs of the institution or the health team. A group method should permit the identification of real needs and priorities that respond to the social health needs.

Objective: The study compared the usefulness of a group method of diagnosis continuing education needs vs. one individual survey.

Method: An observational, cross-sectional study with a qualitative methodology and nominal group technique. The study consisted of two phases, included professional medical and paramedical staff service Cerebral Palsy and Early Stimulation of the National Rehabilitation Institute (INR). In the first phase a single survey used in the INR needs assessment for continuing education applied. In the second phase by consensus diagnosis needs continuing education required to be generated: a) optimize everyday practice; b) conduct research, and c) the diagnosis and timely referral layperson.

Results: The individual method diagnosed continuing education requirements regarding professional roles and group method needs detected in the three levels investigated, adding a category, the educational needs of patients and their families.

Conclusions: The group method incorporated the epidemiological and social context of the institution and the individual method identified personal needs regarding professional functions. It is considered that the two methods are complementary.