The use of computerized need projection methodologies to implement health planning policies

The Maryland Health Resources Planning Commission has developed a substantial proportion of its planning effort since 1982 to the development of need projection methodologies that fulfill the policy direction established in the State Health Plan. Because each service for which need is projected has a unique set of problems, policy direction leads to service-specific approaches to forecasting need. Each methodology takes into consideration appropriate minimum sizes and distribution of services, appropriate rates of growth, and appropriate reallocation of use from overserved to underserved areas. Examples from acute medical/surgical, acute psychiatric, comprehensive rehabilitation, and institutional longterm care services are given.