In 1999, the Save Our Seniors Coalition, consisting of concerned university faculty, health care and social service providers, and community members from southeast Georgia was formed. A project plan was written and funding was obtained to study health care needs of older persons. In order to identify the perceived unmet needs and the meaning of health care of the senior citizen populations aged 65 and older in the rural Georgia counties of Bulloch, Evans, Screven, and Tattnall, an 800 hotline number, among other needs assessment strategies, was established with voice mail on a telephone dedicated to the research study. Callers to the 800 hotline were aggressively recruited. No personal caller identification was collected except for the age of the respondent and his/her county of residence. Callers were asked on question: What do you believe are the most significant unmet needs of senior citizens in your county? Responses were recorded and transcribed ver betim. Rich data were obtained, including important insights and shared stories. Yet there were a number of problems associated with the technique, including a lower response rate than was expected. The use of an 800 number as a research strategy will be discussed, along with suggestions to improve the outcome with its use.
Learning Objectives: Participants will be able to (1) 1)articulate the procedure for setting up and monitoring an 800 number (2) identify the strengths and weaknesses of using an 800 number as a needs assessment strategy.
Keywords: Needs Assessment, Rural Populations
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.