Family needs assessment in cerebral palsy clinic.

PURPOSE

The dual purpose of this study was to identify areas of need as perceived by parents of children with cerebral palsy in three domains and to evaluate internal reliability of the Family Needs Assessment Tool (FNAT).

DESIGN AND METHODS

The FNAT was distributed to parents and includes a demographic survey and three subscales: service, information, and obstacles to care.

RESULTS

Parents identified services as their greatest need, followed by information and then obstacles to care.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

The FNAT may be utilized to evaluate parental perceptions of needs, and provide clinicians with information for program planning and assessing needs central to providing quality care.