Case management: a heritage more than a century old

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Administration
• Health Services Research
• Interprofessional Healthcare

Background:

• Case management, a patient care coordination strategy, has roots extending over a century.
• This approach is not new and transcends nursing practice, involving multiple healthcare disciplines.
• Its evolution is a result of interdisciplinary collaboration in healthcare.

Observation:

• Historical literature reveals case management's evolution as a byproduct of creative healthcare efforts.
• Key disciplines contributing to its development include nursing, medicine, mental health, public health, and social work.
• Tools like clinical pathways have evolved alongside case management.

Findings:

• The article presents a historical review of significant milestones in case management.
• It traces the development of case management from its origins to its current form.
• The evolution highlights the interdisciplinary nature of effective patient care coordination.

Implications:

• Understanding the history of case management provides context for current practices.
• Recognizing its interdisciplinary roots can foster better collaboration in healthcare.
• The evolution of tools like clinical pathways demonstrates a continuous drive for improved patient care efficiency.