Case Management Roles and Functions Across Various Settings and Professional Disciplines

Abstract

To describe the practice of case managers in diverse settings with special focus on the roles and functions that they engage in during an average work day. Results were also used to validate and revise as indicated in the blueprint of the certification examination of the credential Certified Case Manager (CCM). The study covered all of the various case management practice settings. This cross-sectional descriptive study applied the practice analysis method and survey research design. It also employed a purposive nonrandomized sampling procedure that resulted in 6,909 total participants. Data collection was completed between May and July 2009. The survey instrument used consisted of 209 items that addressed background and demographics, case management activities, and knowledge areas. The case management professionals who participated in this study had similar perceptions of the essential activities and knowledge aspects of their practice except for those who are vocational rehabilitation and work adjustment specialists and those who practice in the life care planning and disability management settings. The study also resulted in the identification of 6 essential activity and 6 knowledge area domains. This study described the current practice of case management in diverse settings and by different health care professionals who assume the case manager's role. It also forecasted what practice changes might occur in the next few years. In addition, it identified the essential activities and knowledge areas required for effective and competent performance of case managers. These findings provided the evidence of the CCM certification examination and demonstrated that the structure or blueprint of the examination was developed on the basis of rigorous research. In addition, findings of this study can be used for further research in case management and developing training and education curricula for the advancement of case managers.