HMO members and clinicians rank health education needs

Before expanding a health education program, the staff of the George Washington University Health Plan conducted a needs assessment of members. Patients in the HMO's adult care and parents in pediatric waiting areas answered survey questions, and a random sample of members was polled by mail. Patients rated their interest in a list of 45 topics, and plan clinicians chose from the same list topics which "would be of greatest help in your practice." Anxiety/stress was the most popular topic among patients and those who responded by mail. Depression, physical fitness, CPR, and nutrition also rated high. Only 4 topics appeared among the top 10 choices of both plan members and clinicians. After discussion of the patients' choices, the clinicians were asked, several weeks later, to rate the topics again. Clinicians' choices in the second round much more closely approximated the choices of the members. The most frequently chosen method of instruction was "written material," although videotape and other, more expensive media were also listed. When seminars geared to the members' top choices in the survey were offered, the response was so enthusiastic that additional seminars--a total of 12 in 6 weeks--were held.