Clinical nurse specialist CNS
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The primary purpose of this study was to describe and compare medical, psychosocial, and economic needs of adolescents and young adults with a neural tube defect and their parents. A secondary aim of the study was to establish the psychometric properties of a previously published needs assessment tool. Forty-nine adolescent and 59 parents receiving services from a comprehensive spina bifida program at a large children's hospital completed a needs assessment survey designed to measure perceived needs for health and social services. ⋯ A significant negative correlation between age of the adolescent and perceived needs related to Transportation/Independence ( = -0.35) and School Services ( = -0.31) was found. Parents with more than a high school education perceived significantly greater needs for Vocational Training than those with less education ( = -2.1, =.04). Identification of medical, psychosocial, and economic needs of adolescents with a neural tube defect and their families has implications for quality improvement and program development.