[Case managers experience improved trajectories for cancer patients after implementation of the case manager...

Area of Science:

• Oncology Nursing
• Healthcare Management
• Patient Safety

Background:

• Case managers are integral to optimizing patient care trajectories.
• The role of case managers in cancer care is expanding.
• Effective handover of patient responsibility is crucial for safety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To clarify the function of case managers in cancer care.
• To assess the impact of case management on patient safety during responsibility handover.
• To identify variations in case management organization, competence, and tasks.

Main Methods:

• A questionnaire-based study was conducted.
• Participants included case managers in cancer care settings.
• Data focused on the organization, competence, and tasks of the case manager role.

Main Results:

• Significant variation exists in how the case manager function is organized.
• Competence levels and assigned tasks show considerable diversity.
• Responsibility for case management is often narrowed to the department level.
• Case managers report optimized patient pathways and improved safety.

Conclusions:

• Case management is perceived to enhance cancer patient pathways and safety.
• Persistent barriers impede the full optimization of the case manager function.
• Standardization of case management roles and responsibilities may be needed.