Military Needs Assessment

Programs are reinforced by the work of needs assessments. It is essential to preform needs assessments in order to enhance the program and meet the needs of a targeted population. Conducting a needs assessment for a program will allow researchers to put in the time, effort, and resources where needed, to emphasize the programs assets. Needs assessments will provide programs with better outcomes and services to all populations (Astramovich, 2011). Needs assessments are conducted in four stages, which include identifying goals, identifying population being assessed, collect needs data assessment, and analysis and interpretation of data (Astramovich, 2011). I will provide these steps of a needs assessment below for adult military personnel who
Two quantitative surveys are given to military personnel before, after, and following the treatment process, which are the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) and the PTSD Checklist (PCL). The CAPS is given to guide researchers in making a current diagnosis of PTSD, examine a lifetime diagnosis for PTSD, and assessing PTSD symptoms over the past week (Weathers, 2013). The PCL is given to monitor military personnel symptom change before and after treatment and an overall screening for PTSD (Weathers, 2013). The Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID) is given through a set of semi-structured questions designed to confirm the PTSD diagnosis and assess mental health (First, Spitzer, Gibbon, & Williams, 1996). A focus group is conducted, where military personnel become educated on PTSD, create goals for treatment, acquire breathing and relaxation techniques, and manage future planning (Astramovich,
Both quantitative surveys were given to observe a means comparison before, after, and through a follow up of treatment. The SCID is given to military personnel to analyze the overall mental health of the individual and establish if there are any co occurring disorders (First, Spitzer, Gibbon & Williams, 1996). The focus groups effectiveness will be analyzed by the attendance rate as well as participation. It is essential to disseminate the data analyzed to military personnel, military families, the government, and citizens. It is critical to educate everyone about the effects of CBT when concerning PTSD. It is not only military individuals who suffer from PTSD, which is why awareness of new data should be discussed worldwide.
Conclusion
Needs assessment is an effective way to enhance programs and serve the specific population. It is necessary to follow the four steps when conducting a needs assessment. Each step contains great importance and can modify the program for best (Astramovich, 2011). I have conducted a needs assessment for adult military personnel who have been diagnosed with PTSD. Through the use of surveys, interviews, and focus groups researchers are able to enhance CBT programs throughout military bases. It is essential to educate everyone on the idea that CBT can be extremely effective for individuals suffering from