Use Case Management Week to educate
Oct. 11-17 puts spotlight on the profession
National Case Management Week, Oct. 11-17, is the perfect opportunity for case managers in all settings to educate their co-workers, the public, and politicians about the value of case management. But don't stop there.
Now that the lawmakers who are working on health care reform legislation recognize the value of care coordination and are including the concept as a quality standard for health care in legislation, case managers should continue their efforts to gain recognition for the profession, says Margaret Leonard MS, RN-BC, FNP, the new president of the Case Management Society of America (CMSA).
"The news is filled with talks of health care reform, and case managers are mentioned every day. People are finally beginning to recognize the value of case management. Case Management Week is an opportunity to promote the general good feeling that case managers are here to stay and that we're truly part of the solution," says Leonard, who is senior vice president for clinical services at Hudson Health Plan in Tarrytown, NY.
Regardless of what health care reform plan is adopted, it will open up a lot of opportunities for case managers, adds B.K. Kizziar, RN-BC, CCM, CLP, owner of B.K. & Associates, a Southlake, TX, case management consulting firm.
"We have a wonderful opportunity to bring case management to the forefront by educating our patients and our clients about how to manage their health and how to spend their health care dollars effectively. People need to know their options so they can make informed choices," she says.
Case managers have the information patients need, and they should share it with them and involve them in developing their treatment plans, she adds.
"The best way for case managers to be an advocate is to make sure they have the information they need to make an educated decision. People don't know what their options are or what their benefits are. Our goal should be to help them understand what is available and choose rather than just creating a plan and imposing it on a patient or client," she says.
Case managers are so busy with their jobs that sometimes they fail to explain what they do and how their work is going to benefit their patients or clients, Kizziar says.
"As a profession, it's up to us to spread the word, not only to the health care community but to the recipients of health care. National Case Management Week is a good time to start, but we should continue doing so throughout the year," she adds.
Kizziar suggests going a step further than just telling someone, "I'm your case manager and I'm here to help you with" your discharge, or getting back to work, or finding a provider covered by your health plan.
"Find out what they know about case management and move from there. Tell them why you're calling them or coming into their room. Rather than just being a person who shows up or calls them periodically, explain what you do and how it will benefit them," she says.
During Case Management Week, it's important that case managers in all areas of practice are recognized for the value they bring to the health care system throughout the year, Leonard says.
In your own organization, make sure everyone knows who the case managers are and what they do, she suggests.
Send out an e-mail to your entire organization telling them that it's Case Management Week and ask them to thank the case managers when they see them for their service to the institution.
"The more your case managers feel recognized and appreciated, the better they feel about themselves and their profession. A little praise goes a long way," she says.
If your budget allows, give your employees little gifts or certificates of appreciation. Bring in bagels in the morning or pizza for lunch, Leonard says.
"The celebration doesn't have to be anything expensive or elaborate, but it should remind everyone of the contributions that case managers make," she says.
Find out if your local chapter of CMSA is having a celebratory meeting or a mini-conference and encourage your employees to attend, Leonard says.
The Case Management Society of America's web site (www.cmsa.org) has a wealth of information on how to celebrate case management week, Leonard adds.
In some organizations, particularly hospitals, case managers are recognized during Nurses Week or Social Workers Month, instead of being celebrated on their own, Kizziar points out.
"That's in part because we, as case managers, have failed to educate our peers on the value that we bring to our work. We've been somewhat complacent about being lumped in with our clinical peers. We need to make a concerted effort, especially in today's health care environment, to make sure that the people we work for and the health care consumer know what case management is, and Case Management Week is the perfect opportunity to do so," Kizziar says.
National Case Management Week, Oct. 11-17, is the perfect opportunity for case managers in all settings to educate their co-workers, the public, and politicians about the value of case management. But don't stop there.You have reached your article limit for the month. Subscribe now to access this article plus other member-only content.
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