Staff and patient assessments of need in an epidemiologically representative sample of patients with psychosis--staff and patient assessments of need.

Background: The present study aimed to assess, in an epidemiologically representative sample of patients with psychosis, the relationship between patient and staff perception of need and to investigate the association between unmet need and study variables when assessed by patients and staff, respectively.

Method: Of 474 cases of functional psychosis identified in the locality, 225 were assessed using the Camberwell Assessment of Need Short Appraisal Schedule (CANSAS) to rate staff and patients' perceptions of need.

Results: Unmet need was rated most highly in social/relationship domains by patients and keyworkers.