[Case management]

The present paper discusses the theoretical background and present the practical use of the case management model of psychiatric care. Case management is a model of psychiatric care, in which the therapeutic effort is not restricted to biological and psychological functioning of the patient, but is also directed at reinforcement of the patient's environmental resources and social support. The basic principles of cases management are the community of care and the use of the patient-therapist relationship in the treatment. The patient is managed by one person responsible for all the issues relating to the patient. That person, called case-manager, directs the treatment in consultation with a psychiatrist, helps the patient in contacts with institutions and undertakes interventions in the patient's community. The paper discusses the obstacles in introducing the community care model based on case-management principles in Poland.