Shifting the healthcare paradigm: the case manager's opportunity and responsibility

Recent shifts in the healthcare system reflect a shift in thinking from sickness to wellness. This article reviews the paradigm shift, incentive system, and issues related to cost and quality. The role of case management in facilitating this transition is discussed. The article concludes with a discussion of the challenge to use nursing's unique disciplinary perspective that is focused on health to develop new approaches and strategies and the opportunities for case management to expand its scope of practice.