Case management is all about helping patients find and choose the appropriate doctors and health services. It involves determining what treatment patients need and ensuring everything gets done on time. In a case management job, one should focus on organizing care for patients.
In a healthcare organization, case management is about connecting patients with doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers. The main purpose is to ensure that patients receive the right treatment. Case managers interact with different types of people, such as patients, doctors, nurses, and insurance companies. They guide patients from every angle and help them solve complications. Case managers ensure that patients get the full support, especially when they need it. An essential function of case management is to maintain patient-centered and organised healthcare.
What is case management?
Case management means monitoring and keeping track of the healthcare a patient receives from the right doctor or nurses. It ensures that patients get the right and budget-friendly treatment. All of these responsibilities are fulfilled by a case manager who helps plan the care and monitor how the patients are doing over time.
Case management is also known as dynamic case management. It is usually done by healthcare workers who have knowledge about hospitals and medical care. A case manager is frequently assigned by insurance companies, hospitals, and clinics to oversee a patient’s care and development. This makes it easier and more organised for patients to receive the care they require.
7 important steps of case management
Case management is a collective effort that involves a case manager helping people obtain relevant medical care without overspending. Here’s what typically happens:
- Reviewing information: The case manager begins by analyzing the person’s medical records, health history, and current financial, housing, and family/friend support situation to gain an understanding of the person’s needs.
- Investigating: The case manager then interviews the person to collect details about their health and life. They also review the person’s insurance coverage and assess how effective previous treatment was.
- Identifying risks: The case manager considers what health issues the person has, including current health problems, blood pressure evaluation, mental health assessment, and financial situation.
- Developing a plan: Next, the case manager develops a health plan. A health plan includes the person’s health goals, their self-care, which health services are indicated, when the care should occur, and what supports are available.
- Assisting in following the health plan: Once the health plan is developed, the case manager supports the person to carry it out. They remind the person of doctor appointments and teach them about health care.
- Checking progress: The case manager keeps in contact with the person, doctors, and their family members to monitor whether the plan is working effectively. If there is any requirement, then they suggest changing the plan.
- Looking back: At last, the case manager reviews every single thing. They watch the person’s health, the money utilized in right way and the care patient received was good.
This procedure ensures that people feel supported and helps them receive the care they require at a reasonable cost.
4 different types of case management models
Below we have mentioned the 4 different case management models. They can be modified or adjusted to fulfill the healthcare group or hospital’s needs. These adaptable techniques can be applied to a variety of case management situations and individuals.
1. The strengths-based clinical case management model
This model is a way to assist people by keeping in mind what they are good at and what makes them stronger. This model can not only focus on problems or weaknesses, but also see different people skills, talent, and support systems. This includes family, friends, relatives, and their home. The case manager collaborates with different people to understand their needs and objectives. With collaboration, they make a plan that uses all possible strengths to solve issues and improve life. This way, people feel more confident and supported as they work toward a better future.
2. Intensive Case Management
Intensive case management offers support for patients in a direct and timely way. The case manager meets the client one-on-one and usually stays with the patient through sessions and appointments, ensuring that they stay focused and can stay on track for their recovery goals.
Intensive case management offers excellent patient attention and support over other types of case management. The case manager works closely with the patient, supporting the patient consistently throughout the rehabilitation process. The intensive case management model supports better patient health and improves patients’ rehabilitation experience by providing high levels of support and assistance to develop health and wellness consistently and systematically.
3. The clinical case management model
A clinical case model creates a plan that incorporates various forms of assistance, such as mental health and physical therapy. To ensure that the patient uses all of the treatments, the case manager works closely with the patient. To discuss how the patient’s care is going and to make any necessary adjustments, the doctor meets with the patient frequently. In this manner, the patient feels supported during their treatment and receives the appropriate assistance for their health.
4. The brokerage case management model
This model is related to providing services to patients after properly checking their needs. Case managers use this model to help patients get the correct treatment and proper care. They dont set frequent meetings with patients. Their main objective is to make a plan for the patient’s care and set a meeting for therapy and treatment. This strategy is relaxed and dont require frequent meetings between the manager and patients.
This model is different from the above three. In the above-mentioned models, managers work closely and often set meetings with patients.
Following the creation of the plan, this model emphasises allowing the patient to use services independently. Although it does not necessitate frequent meetings or conversations with the case manager, it aids patients in receiving assistance. Managers can manage numerous patients at once more easily and save time in this way.
What skills are required to become a case manager?
Working as a case manager requires you to be familiar with health and people. Key skills for a case manager include:
- Knowing many health issues
- Understanding how the health care system works, such as doctors, hospitals, and insurance
- Being able to plan and organize tasks
- Being able to speak clearly with others
- Being caring and understanding of people’s feelings
- Being able to work well in a team
All these skills enable case managers to assist patients and ensure they receive appropriate care.
Boost your healthcare services with Oxford Training Centre
Case management refers to planning, delivering, and monitoring health care for its patients. Healthcare management is a popular career option, and Oxford Training Centre has great healthcare management training courses that will assist you in acquiring important skills for use in the workplace. There are a variety of training courses (low-cost and flexible) that focus on practical knowledge and understanding of patient care delivery. So, whether you are just starting in your career or preparing to assume a leadership role, Oxford Training Centre can help you learn and develop in a way that works for you and your career. Let Oxford Training Centre help you develop your skills and effective practice in the field of healthcare management.