Individual advocacy as a governing principle

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Client Advocacy Studies
• Social Work Practice

Background:

• Case managers frequently balance dual roles: gatekeeper and advocate.
• These roles can create inherent conflicts in practice.
• Existing advocacy models offer frameworks for ethical client representation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the inherent conflict between the gatekeeper and advocate roles in case management.
• To define the core principles of effective client advocacy within case management.
• To integrate established advocacy tenets into case management practice.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of existing advocacy models (e.g., physician/patient, lawyer/client).
• Analysis of the fundamental rights of clients in advocacy relationships.
• Conceptual framework development for case management advocacy.

Main Results:

• The gatekeeper role emphasizes resource control, while the advocate role prioritizes client needs.
• Client-centeredness is paramount for effective advocacy.
• Informed choice and confidentiality are essential rights that must be upheld.

Conclusions:

• Case management advocacy must be guided by the client's perspective.
• Incorporating principles of informed choice and confidentiality is crucial for ethical case management.
• Reconciling the gatekeeper and advocate roles requires a strong commitment to client rights.