Results of a needs assessment strategy in developing a family practice program in an inner-city community

The planners of an inner-city clinic and family practice residency program conducted a four-step needs assessment study to identify the importance, availability, and feasibility of local family practice services and objectives. Using mailout-mailback and supervised questionnaire data collection techniques, they contacted 1,020 consumers and providers. Those objectives rated most important and feasible and least available were given top priority for implementation, while the objectives rated important and unavailable but not currently feasible received research priorities.