Understanding Needs: Definition, Types and Strategies for Empowerment
Needs are essential requirements for the physical, emotional, and psychological well-being of an individual. These requirements span from basic necessities, such as food, to higher aspirations that drive personal growth and fulfillment. Understanding the topic 'Needs' is essential, particularly for those who work in the healthcare, social, and education systems as it allows for needs to be addressed efficiently while simultaneously empowering the growth of individuals.
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A need can be defined as the gap between "what is" and "what should be." The phrase ‘what is’ refers to the current reality or conditions that one experiences. On the other hand, ‘what should be’ encompasses the intended or anticipated outcomes one hopes to achieve.
For example, a person may currently lack medical resources ("what is"), while their goal is to receive treatment for a specific illness ("what should be"). This gap represents the need that must be addressed (Benge et al., 2019).
(Benge, 2019)
What Is a Needs Assessment?
To bridge the gap between current realities and desired outcomes, it is crucial to identify and prioritize needs through a systematic process known as a needs assessment. According to Witkin and Altschuld (1995), a needs assessment is "a systematic set of procedures" undertaken for the purpose of setting priorities and making decisions about program or organizational improvement and allocation of resources" (Witkin & Altschuld, 1995, p. 4).
This definition can be further broken down as follows:
- “systematic set of procedures” - This involves following a specified set of methods or actions that were proven to be reliable and valid in obtaining the objective.
- “purpose of setting priorities and making decisions”- From the knowledge and information gained, one can make well informed decisions and determine priorities based on the need(s) identified.
- “program of setting priorities and making decisions” - Based on the true needs of the community or individual, it is vital to develop and carry out educational programs and outreach efforts that are tailored to reach their specific needs.
- “allocation of resources” - It is essential to understand that extension programs and organizations would not have an unlimited number of resources such as time, money or materials as these are all constraints that can arise. As such, resources should be properly allocated based on priorities determined (Benge et al., 2019).
The Role of Health Promotion in Addressing Needs
Addressing needs often requires empowering individuals to take control of their circumstances. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) (2018), health promotion is a process that gives individuals the ability to increase their control over their health as well as to improve it, focusing on self-empowerment. Health promotion involves helping people to make changes in their lifestyles that result in them having optimal health. This is done by making individuals more aware, making changes to their behaviour and developing environments that support good practices (Viner & Macfarlane, 2005).
The type of need may be categorized in various ways:
- Normative Needs
A normative need exists when individuals or groups fall below an established health standard. For example, patients whose pressure exceeds normal blood pressure levels.
- Felt Needs
A felt need is when individuals perceive that something should be done to improve health or well-being. For example, the health program coordinator feels that every medical student needs to be licensed in First- Aid.
- Comparative Needs
A comparative need is identified when similar groups experience unequal access to healthcare services or resources. For example, if a person with schizophrenia in area A was living in sheltered accommodation and receiving day care, but in area B this was not available, we would say that schizophrenics in area B were in need.
- Expressed Needs
A felt need becomes an expressed need when people put what they want into action; there is more need than there is supply. For example, families in a rural region seek access to quality healthcare services.
- Future Needs
This need arises from planning for future health challenges or changes. For example, a city which forecasts an aging population over the next decade may anticipate a greater need for care specialists and home-care services.
- Critical- Incident Needs
Critical- incident needs are urgent and arise from events with significant consequences. For example, an outbreak of an infectious disease (such as COVID-19) creates an immediate need for quarantine facilities and personal protective equipment (PPE) to manage patients and prevent the spread of the disease (Themes, 2017).
Maslow (1943) stated, "We have spoken so far as if this hierarchy were a fixed order, but it is not nearly as rigid as we may have implied."
Since there can be a number of exceptions, for instance, some people rank self-esteem higher than self-love, there is a reversal of the hierarchy when a need has been satisfied or seen as unimportant.
There are at least five sets of goals which we may call basic needs.
(Cherry, 2024)
These are briefly; physiological, safety, love, esteem and self-actualization. This has been developed into a pyramid of needs which is a popular and commonly accepted theory within Psychology which states that for an individual to reach their highest potential, they must satisfy certain basic needs. These needs are arranged in a hierarchical order and each level must be fulfilled before an individual can progress to the next.
The five levels of Maslow's theory are:
1. Physiological Needs - Such needs refer to the basic requirements of life which are vital to survival. Some examples of physiological needs include food, water, shelter, clothing, homeostasis and breathing (Cherry, 2024).
(Etsy, 2024)
2. Safety Needs - These needs are related to a safe home environment, financial well-being, and security against accidents and injury. For example, securing a job (Nasrudin, 2021) Maslow also mentions other broader aspects of the attempt to seek safety and stability in the world are seen in the very common preference for familiar rather than unfamiliar things, or for the known rather than the unknown.
(Bisht, 2024)
3. Social Needs or Love and Belonging Needs - These needs refer to the need for connection with others, friendship, love, acceptance, and belonging. Examples of these needs include developing relationships, participating in group activities, religious organizations, and expressing affection (Nasrudin, 2021)
(Dreamstime, n.d.)(Dreamstime, n.d.)
4. Esteem Needs - This level includes the need for respect from others as well as self-respect and recognition. Examples of this type of need are having status within a community, feeling valued by others, academic accomplishments, athletic or team participation and personal hobbies (Nasrudin, 2021).
(Maslows Hierarchy of Needs, n.d.)
5. Self-Actualization Needs - This is the need to actualize our talents and skills. This includes obtaining the full use and exploitation of our talents, capabilities, and potentialities. People who achieve self-actualization are said to be fulfilling themselves and doing the best that they are capable of (Williams, 2024).
(Mishra, 2015)
Strategies to Address Unmet Needs and Empowering of Clients
Unmet Needs
The definition of an unmet need may vary depending on the medical condition of the patient such as those living with either chronic conditions or terminal illnesses (Unmet Medical Need, n.d.). Generally, the unmet needs of a patient represent the shortcomings or inadequacies in healthcare services and support that hinder a patient’s ability to achieve the best possible health outcomes and overall satisfaction (Nguyen, 2023). These needs typically include, but are not limited to:
Accessible healthcare
Disease management
Comprehensive patient education
Disease research and treatment
Patients with unmet needs have less access to the healthcare they receive. Additionally, they are 2.5 times more likely to report poor physical health, more than 5 times more likely to report mental health issues, and more than twice as likely to report higher healthcare utilization (Baer et al., 2022).
Unmet medical needs are typically identified through a combination of clinical research, patient advocacy, and insights from the healthcare provider. In addressing such needs, healthcare providers can help greatly by facilitating clinical trials, staying informed about the latest research developments, and advocating and empowering their patients (Cardellini, 2024).
Meeting a patient’s needs involves providing support for their immediate concerns while simultaneously encouraging patients to take control of their health. Through engagement, patients are able to be involved in their own care and decision-making process.
Healthcare providers can gain information by interviewing the patient and family, communicating with the healthcare team, and observing the patient to figure out the barriers that impact the delivery of care to the patient (Mayo, n.d.). Through this important assessment, a plan can be developed to meet the needs and preferences of the patient. By engaging patients in identifying their own needs, patients can be empowered and foster a sense of ownership through patient-centered care.
(Chiaravalloti, 2022)
3. Shared Decision- Making
Once patients are adequately educated on their medical condition, they can effectively make a joint decision with the physician about treatment options. Shared decision-making emphasizes effective risk communication and ensures decisions are aligned with the patient’s values. The patient must understand their treatment options, and evidence-based arguments for and against each choice must be presented along with relevant statistics. It is essential that the patient’s perspective is sought to determine how the treatment options align with their beliefs. From there, a patient can be guided toward a final decision by the healthcare provider with a confident and regret-free mindset (Medesk, n.d.).
As a result, educating patients about their medication and treatment options, while involving them in the shared decision-making process can help them recognize the value that they bring to the healthcare system and foster a greater sense of empowerment (Patient Safety Movement Foundation, 2023).
For physicians, it is important to possess strong communication skills, be an active, empathetic listener, and present a clear explanation of complex medical information in simple language. These skills are essential in convincing or dissuading a patient from certain decisions and actions. Additionally, physicians should be friendly, respectful, and alert during patient-doctor interactions (Medesk, n.d.).
(Next Generation Learning, 2023)
5. Support for self- management
It is essential to provide tools and resources for patients to utilize to manage their health between medical appointments including self-monitoring tools, lifestyle interventions, and access to support groups and counseling services (Medesk, n.d.). Additionally, physicians can provide access to reliable sources and platforms for patients to research on their medical condition and educate themselves. This is because there is a plethora of conflicting misinformation that can instill fear into patients and result in inaccurate self-diagnosing and self-treating (8 Steps to Patient Empowerment, n.d.). This allows patients to tend to their health concerns digitally.
6. Promote self- advocacy
One of the physician’s roles is to motivate patients to ask questions, share their preferences and actively advocate for themselves in healthcare environments. This approach is based on the principle that a patient who is educated on their illness can utilize critical thinking and important resources to make informed decisions about their treatment (Medesk, n.d.).
Recognizing and addressing needs, whether in response to healthcare or personal development, is vital for enhancing overall well-being and quality of life. Needs highlight the gap between current experiences and desired outcomes and effective strategies to decrease this gap should be methodical, inclusive and empowering. Conducting thorough needs assessments, encouraging shared decision-making, and promoting self-advocacy are fundamental steps in meeting unmet needs. Empowering individuals with the correct knowledge, resources and support enables them to be in control of their circumstances and make informed choices, which ultimately results in a greater sense of autonomy and fulfillment. Addressing needs is not simply a response to challenges; it is a pathway to individual and collective progress.
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