Each year, the second week in October is a week of appreciation and celebration of the professional practice of case management and the case managers who work tirelessly to improve the health of their patients/clients. It is a time to celebrate case managers, the professional practice, and the progress made on improving health outcomes and to educate payers, providers, regulators, and consumers about the tremendous value case managers bring to the successful delivery of health care.
What Is Case Management?
The concept of case management has existed within health care since the 1800s. From Florence Nightingale, introducer of the concept of medical case management, to Mary Richmond, recognized as the founder of the social work profession with her model of case coordination, case managers have been making an impact for hundreds of years.
The Case Management Society of America (CMSA) Standards of Practice for Case Management (2022) provides today's definition of case management:
Case Management is a collaborative process of assessment, planning, facilitation, care coordination, evaluation, and advocacy for options and services to meet an individual's and family's comprehensive health needs through communication and available resources to promote patient safety, quality of care, and cost-effective outcomes.
The underlying premise of case management is essentially value-based care-When an individual reaches the optimum level of wellness and functional capability, everyone benefits: the individuals being served, their support systems, the health care delivery systems, and the various reimbursement sources.
Case management serves as a means for achieving client wellness and autonomy through advocacy, communication, education, identification of service resources, and service facilitation. The case manager helps identify appropriate providers and facilities throughout the continuum of services, while ensuring that available resources are being used in a timely and cost-effective manner to obtain optimum value for both the client and the reimbursement source. Case management services are best offered in an interprofessional environment that allows direct communication between the case manager, the client, and appropriate service personnel to optimize the outcome for all concerned.
Certification determines that the case manager possesses the education, skills, and experience required to render appropriate services based on the sound principles of practice.
History of the Week
Plans for National Case Management Week first began in 1998 as an effort to help move the case management industry forward. This was the first major initiative of the association since its merger with ICMA in 1995. The CMSA Board of Directors agreed to a Case Management Week celebration during the week of October 10, 1999, a date chosen in honor of the Association's establishment on October 10, 1990.
Later, it was decided to mark the second full week in October each year as National Case Management Week. As the idea quickly spread, other organizations also began to establish their own Case Management Week celebrations. To strengthen the movement, collaborate with other organizations, and avoid confusion about the celebration, CMSA approached those organizations about unifying the annual event and celebrating it during the same week.
The unification of the celebration has helped create a greater awareness and understanding of the critical role case managers play in the health care industry. It has also allowed for a more coordinated effort in promoting the profession and recognizing the achievements of case managers.
Ways to Celebrate National Case Management Week and Help Spread the Word
During National Case Management Week, it is important to take the time to celebrate the hard work and dedication of case managers. Here are some ways to show appreciation:
1. Say thank you: Take a moment to personally thank the case managers you work with or encounter in your daily life. A simple thank you can go a long way in making someone feel valued and appreciated.
2. Host an event: Plan an event to honor case managers in your organization or community. This can be a luncheon, reception, or even a team-building activity that shows your appreciation for their work.
3. Share on social media: Use social media to raise awareness about National Case Management Week and the importance of case managers. Share stories, photographs, or videos that highlight the impact of case management on patients/clients.
4. Provide professional development opportunities: Offer opportunities for case managers to continue their education and professional development. This can include access to training sessions, conferences, or online resources.
5. Collaborate with other organizations: Work with other organizations in your community to raise awareness about case management and the important role it plays in health care. This can include health care providers, community organizations, employers, and government agencies.
Here are other ways you can help celebrate National Case Management Week:
* Encourage your mayor, county executive, or governor to issue a local proclamation for National Case Management Week.
* Write letters or emails to your local news outlets to let them know about Case Management Week-Share your personal story for impact.
* Tell 10 other professionals you are a case manager and why your work is important.
* Offer to speak about case management at a local community event.
* Profile case managers in a company e-Newsletter to raise awareness of the practice.
Proclaim Case Management Week at your company and promote a new activity each day.
* Promote case managers by sponsoring health fairs, conduct preventive health screenings in underserved areas, or organize other services in your community.
* Feature case managers and their work in your public forums and communication outlets.
Celebrating Case Managers Every Day at CMSA
Although National Case Management Week provides an opportunity for case managers to come together and share their knowledge and experience, and for others to learn about and celebrate the valuable contributions of case managers to the health care system, at CMSA, case managers continue to be celebrated all year long, to further recognize the hard work and dedication of case managers and continue to push forward in advancing the profession.
Visit http://www.cmsa.org to find out more.