Needs Assessment Tool for Palliative Care (NAPC)

Palliative care is inherently multidimensional: addressing pain without attention to spiritual despair, social isolation, or financial stress leaves patients and families in crisis. The NAPC was developed from observations that traditional medical assessments focus narrowly on physical symptoms, missing critical unmet needs in emotional support, practical assistance (finances, transportation, home care), information and communication, and existential/spiritual care. By using a structured needs-assessment approach—rather than a symptom checklist—the NAPC enables clinicians to develop comprehensive care plans aligned with patient and family priorities. The tool reflects a fundamental palliative care principle: listen to what matters most to the patient, not just what the clinician thinks is medically necessary.