What is medical case management?

Medical case management is a process that facilitates treatment and rehabilitation plans for people with identified needs (disabled, injured, or sick). It is a collaborative process and involves evaluation of care, assisting with the implementation and coordination of aftercare plans, regular monitoring of progress, and evaluation and review of results. Its objective is to give patients the greatest possible independence and improve their quality of life.

The need for this service arose in the first place because people were not meeting all of their individual agency needs. Case management filled these gaps in services and created a way for patients to address all of their needs.

Each patient will be unique and, therefore, each situation and treatment plan will be different. Some people will need case management services for life, while others will need it only in the medium term. Often, the client has had a change in circumstances that needs help coping, such as a brain injury. Sometimes they will face health problems from birth, such as cerebral palsy. The general management of a patient will be assigned to an individual and this person will be assigned based on their suitability.

Case managers come from professional settings such as nursing, social work, occupational therapy, and physical therapy.

The first part of your job is evaluation. Relevant information must be collected from the patient, relatives and doctors. The objective of the evaluation is to develop an appreciation of the individual's requirements and plan how to lessen the impact of their situation on their level of independence, personal security, finances, family life, social life, and job prospects.

Case management work can involve many facets, including advocacy, helping families raise funds, helping them communicate with outside agencies, attending meetings with them, and sensitizing families to all relevant support groups. The job also involves making sure everyone understands the medical bill review  and legal jargon used.

Rehabilitation goals will be identified and the most appropriate and cost-effective care will be planned. The case manager will make and maintain written progress records and care reviews will be conducted at specific intervals agreed by the client or those acting on their behalf.

Case managers follow the BABICM code of ethics to guide them through their work. This ensures that the best ethical care is provided at all times. They will have to develop a good relationship with the patient and the family and they will become a very important part of that person's life as they try to improve it.