In Case Management, we “get to know” a person from a different perspective, far more than a simple lab test or a physical exam.
When a person works in the healthcare field, particularly the Case Management field, the aspects that go with it can be holistic, specialized, and focused. I remember when I first entered the Case
Management profession, a lot of people were asking me what I do again. Even Registered Nurses that I meet for the first time who have worked in bedside nursing for a while wanted a further explanation of
what I do because it creates curiosity within them. Defining what Case Managers do can both be simple and intricate depending on the audience and listener. In a simple definition, case managers can be
translated literally, which means “a person managing a case”. A bigger and more in-depth connotation can be best described as aiding people who have the greatest need. These needs may come from high-risk individuals, vulnerable populations, high utilizers of health care services, people who have been non-adherent to treatment, and people who need access to resources. Other times, the need may not
arise from the individuals mentioned above but also from healthy individuals who need assistance in sustaining their health, wellness, and vitality. With the rising cost of health care and the global
healthcare crisis, Case Managers are needed now more than ever.