Case Management Week is being celebrated this year from October 13th to 19th! According to Google, the definition of Case Managers: healthcare professionals who serve as patient advocates, supporting, guiding, and coordinating care for patients, families and caregivers as they navigate their health and wellness journeys. They serve as the center of communication, connecting individuals/caregivers with members of the healthcare team and community to impact acute and chronic disease management and improve population health.
The Case Management Society of America (CMSA) says that Case Managers are “recognized experts and vital participants in the care coordination team who empower people to understand and access quality, efficient health care.” What a powerful statement!
Case Managers are the key to assisting clients navigate complex situations. They meet challenges head on, assist in connecting resources, identify potential issues, and collaborate with other healthcare providers to meet a client’s needs. And Case Management Week is a celebration of all of that!
The first Case Management Week was celebrated in 1999 and has since been an annual observance, recognizing the critical work these people do in advocating for patients, coordinating care, and ensuring access to essential healthcare resources. This is a pivotal role in improving patient outcomes, reducing hospital readmissions, and managing complex care transitions. Over the years, “Encouraging, Engaging and Empowering” has been a primary theme.
The 2024 theme is Powering the Future of Healthcare. “The future of healthcare lies in the successful merger of human empathy and cutting-edge technology.” Case Managers equipped with these tools can do more than ever before, transforming the landscape of patient care. How will this be achieved?
- Using Sentiment Scoring: Through analyzing tone and content of interactions, sentiment scoring helps ensure patients feel heard, understood and cared for. This sets a positive foundation for the recovery journey, but also helps identify other areas for improvement.
- Creating Efficiencies through AI Tools: Using AI to sift through vast amounts of documentation and highlight words or phrases that indicate potential risks allows Case Managers to focus their attention and resources on these cases.
- AI-assisted Multilingual Calls: This system eliminates the obstacle of language barriers with real-time translation services enhancing the client’s experience and increasing the Case Manager’s efficiency.
- Mitigating Psychosocial Barriers: AI-powered mental health apps provide anonymous support to patients via a Chat Bot and self-guided cognitive behavioral therapy exercises.
I have the privilege of working with many Case Managers every day! You can find them at hospitals, health insurance companies, medical offices, mental health offices, outpatient clinics, doctor’s offices, rehabilitation facilities, and almost anywhere you might receive care. When Case Managers help patients discharge home, they assign agencies that provide services in the home such as personal care by Care Advantage, home health, palliative care, hospice care, medical equipment, and much more.
If you or a loved one need help, all you need to do is ask to speak with a Case Manager! In some settings, the title may differ, but the duties are the same. They are there to help you!
Join me in saying THANK YOU to Case Managers for the important, and often under-appreciated, work that they do!
