Case management. The wave of the future.

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Social Work Practice
• Gerontology

Background:

• Nurses and social workers often assume case management roles without adequate foundational training.
• Existing professional education may not cover the specific skills and philosophy required for effective case management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the increasing demand for case management services.
• To propose a comprehensive training plan for developing essential case manager skills.
• To examine the impact of case management on clients, resource allocation, and healthcare systems.

Main Methods:

• Literature review on case management principles and training needs.
• Analysis of the effects of case management on client outcomes and system efficiency.
• Development of a proposed training framework for case managers.

Main Results:

• Case management requires distinct skills and a specific philosophical approach not always covered in basic nursing or social work education.
• Effective case management positively influences resource allocation, client quality of life, and system operations.
• Targeted training is crucial for equipping professionals to successfully sustain the independence of older persons.

Conclusions:

• There is a critical need for specialized case management training for healthcare professionals.
• A well-structured training program can enhance the effectiveness of case managers.
• Case management plays a vital role in supporting the independence and well-being of older adults within the healthcare system.