Care management and mental health

Area of Science:

• Healthcare policy
• Social work
• Public administration

Background:

• Community care reforms necessitate a new professional role: the care manager.
• Care management, set to launch in April 1993, faces challenges due to insufficient preparation.
• Existing case management approaches are evolving into comprehensive care management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To trace the historical development of case management into modern care management.
• To outline the guiding principles of effective care management practice.
• To illustrate the practical application of care management within Southwark's mental health services.

Main Methods:

• Historical overview of case management evolution.
• Analysis of principles underpinning care management.
• Case study description of Southwark's mental health service care management plans.

Main Results:

• Care management represents a significant shift from traditional case management.
• The successful implementation of care management is contingent on thorough preparation and clear principles.
• Southwark's mental health services provide a concrete example of planned care management structures.

Conclusions:

• The success of community care reforms hinges on the effective integration and performance of care managers.
• Anticipated challenges in the initial rollout of care management require careful monitoring and potential adjustments.
• Understanding the principles and practical application of care management is crucial for service providers and policymakers.