Evaluating the CANSAS self-report (CANSAS-P) as a screening instrument for care needs in people with psychotic and affective disorders

We examined agreement between the CANSAS self-report version (CANSAS-P) and the Camberwell Assessment of Need (CAN) interview in 200 long-term patients with affective and psychotic disorders. Intra-class correlations were fair to good for unmet needs. Overall, more unmet needs were reported on the CANSAS-P than in the CAN interview. No differences were found for patients with psychotic versus affective disorders. We conclude from this that the CANSAS-P is a promising screening instrument to detect unmet needs in people with severe mental illnesses. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.