Case Managers Are…Case managers are first, patient advocates

Case Managers Are…Case managers are first, patient advocates

Case management falls under the umbrella of the health and human services profession.  Its’ philosophy is based on the belief that everyone benefits when clients reach their optimum level of wellness, self-management, and functional capability (CCMC, 2022).  Oftentimes we find patients in the hospital without friends or family.  They are frightened and confused with all the information that is being thrown at them.  In their mind, the doctor is in a hurry and the nurses are scrambling around just trying to get through the day. They are afraid to ask questions, for fear of feeling like a burden.  It all seems like a whirlwind.  It is in this moment of chaos that the case manager can provide the patient with a sense of calmness.  Case managers can be the person that sits down with the patient and takes the time to answer their questions, all while making sure they do not feel rushed.  We can rest in the fact that we have provided clarity and understanding to a once unclear plan.  

Case managers are first, patient advocates, and it is our duty to ensure that each patient we encounter has equal access to proper healthcare and the resources and support they need to live the fullest life possible.   Our primary goal is to help our patients, and that includes supporting them and promoting their wishes.  Case managers are champions for our patients and families.  We find ourselves being interjected into a patient’s life during very vulnerable, and what may seem to them, hopeless times.  We are there to help them navigate these treacherous waters.