Effects of Case Management in Trauma Patients in Taiwan: A Randomized, Longitudinal Study

Case management can improve trauma patient outcomes from the acute to rehabilitation phases. However, a lack of evidence on the effects of case management in trauma patients makes it difficult to translate research findings into clinical practice.

To examine the effects of case management on illness perception, coping strategies, and quality of life in trauma patients followed up to 9 months post-hospital discharge.

A four-wave longitudinal experimental design was used. Patients with traumatic injury hospitalized at a regional hospital in southern Taiwan from 2019 to 2020 were randomly assigned to a case management (experimental) or a usual care (control) group. The intervention was implemented during hospitalization with a phone call follow-up about 2 weeks post-discharge. Illness perception, coping strategies, and health-related quality-of-life perceptions were measured at baseline, 3 months, 6 months, and 9 months after discharge. Generalized estimating equations were used for analysis.

Findings showed a significant difference in illness perception at 3 and 6 months and coping strategies used at 6 and 9 months after discharge between the two groups. No significant difference in the quality of life over time between the two groups was found.

Although case management appears to help patients with traumatic injuries decrease illness perception and better cope with their injury, it did not significantly improve their quality of life 9 months after discharge. It is recommended that health care professionals develop long-term case management strategies for high-risk trauma patients.