A state of tension or dissatisfaction felt by an individual that impels him to action toward a goal he believes will satisfy the impulse.
A variety of felt urgencies related to existence, continuation, maintenance of life, and enhancement of living. The biological and psychosocial needs are interrelated.
Some thing or action which is essential, indispensable, required or cannot be done or lived without; a condition marked by the lack or want of some such thing or action. The presence or absence of a need can and should be measured by an objective criterion or standard. Needs may or may not be perceived or expressed by the person in need and must be distinguished from demands, expressed desires whether or not needed. Like appropriateness, need is frequently and irregularly used in health care with respect to health facilities and services, and people. It is thus important to specify what thing or action’s need is being considered, by what criteria the need is to be established, by whom (provider, consumer, or third party), and with what effect (since payment for services by insurance is, for instance, sometimes conditioned upon the necessity of their provision).