Needs assessment

Personality disorder integrated care pathway
NHS Highland

While it will certainly not be necessary to provide the CPA for every patient referred to the CMHT, the Care Programme Approach Needs Assessment Checklist provides a comprehensive systematic guide to needs assessment. Common areas of need for people with personality disorder, from which specific treatment goals can be identified, include:

medication including:

  • polypharmacy
  • compliance issues

concurrent mental health conditions including:

  • mood and anxiety disorders
  • substance misuse disorders

physical health including:

  • not accessing appropriate care for medical conditions
  • reduced self-care including suboptimal management of chronic medical conditions

emotional support including:

  • crisis resolution
  • containment strategies

accommodation including:

  • difficulty maintaining a tenancy

social/interpersonal situation including:

  • lack of interpersonal contacts
  • lack of leisure time activities

employment, education or other meaningful, structured use of time

financial including

  • debt problems 
  • benefits issues
  • financial management difficulties

dependent children/ other dependents including

  • difficulties managing childcare tasks