HIV case manager preparedness for practice in Ryan White CARE Act funded settings

While current research on the factors affecting the HIV epidemic within the general population has considered the role of HIV case managers, much remains to be known about case management effectiveness and how it might be enhanced. This article presents the data from a statewide survey of case management professionals in Florida. The study focused on case managers' preparation for practice and barriers to successful practice. The study results reflect a very broad educational preparation in multiple disciplines with highly varied means of case manager training and orientation at entry to practice. Further, the results highlighted the existence of multiple barriers that challenge the ability of case managers to cope with the demands of case management practice in sites serving people living with HIV/AIDS who are socially and economically challenged. The article concludes with recommendations for changes in the system that would enhance the preparation of case management professionals for entry to practice.