The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #54765

Julia A. Bucher, RN, PhD, Planning, PA Division - American Cancer Society, RR 3 Box 1576, Milton, PA 17847, Alacey Berumen, RN, MNM, Planning, American Cancer Society - Rocky Mountain Division, 2255 S. Oneida, Denver, CO 80224, 303-758-2030 x 446, aberumen@cancer.org, and Kathleen Wall, MSW, Planning, Mid-Atlantic Division American Cancer Society, 92 Read's Way, Suite 205, New Castle, DE 19720.

Community assessment has a long-standing history in public health and community health however the majority of community assessments focus on public health needs, such as access to primary medical care or maternal and child health. Few focus on community assessment of services for those with chronic illnesses. The American Cancer Society Community Assessment Interview Guide To Identify Services for Persons with Cancer and Their Families teaches how to do just this type of assessment. Interview questions are grouped into 3 main areas: 1) Information, referral and guidance, 2) Education, support, and counseling, and 3) Delivery of services and products. The focus is on what types of information and services are routinely and uniformly offered -- or made known to all families -- versus what types of information and services are discussed or offered only when families ask for help. Community groups and staff who have little experience in health and social services can use the guide. It helps them think through how to collect data from local hospitals, providers, agencies, and other organizations and how to analyze their findings for gaps in community services. It also includes assessing how providers link families to Internet services for help. This presentation will review the guide and discuss initial findings from pilot use by social service staff and community groups in two parts of the Unites States.

Learning Objectives:

• List 3 major areas to assess related to community resources for persons with cancer
• Describe how to assess if, when, and how well information on resources is offered to all cancer families or only offered when families request it
• List how to avoid the pitfalls of collecting and analyzing this type of indepth community assessment data that prevent effective action planning

Keywords: Cancer, Community Health Planning

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.