BY LAUREN O’CONNELL, LICSW, AND ROBERTA CAPP, MD, MHS
Community health workers (CHWs) are non-clinical members of the community who usually share ethnicity, language and life experiences with the community members they serve (NIHLBI, 2023). Traditionally, CHWs are social and change agents; they reduce disparities and inequities by expanding knowledge and access to benefits and community services.
BY SUSANE HAO, RN, MSN, CLCP, AND THERESA HERNANDEZ, CCM
Healthcare providers and case managers encounter patients who experience a combination of barriers related to social determinants of health (SDoH) that make it difficult for patients to manage their chronic medical conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), congestive heart failure (CHF), diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, hypertension and depression.
BY GARRY CARNEAL, JD, MA, JACK SHOEMAKER, MS, AND TOM WILSON, PhD
Treating diseases of the brain is as important as treating any physical condition. Yet, U.S. health insurers have earned the dubious reputation of not covering behavioral health conditions (“BH,” aka mental health and substance use disorders) adequately when compared to physical health conditions (“PH,” aka medical/surgical care). From a population health perspective, disease states such as depression, anxiety, addiction and other mental health conditions often have been undertreated, subsequently leading to poor clinical outcomes.
BY BETSY STOVSKY, RN, MSN, AND MARY McLAUGHLIN DAVIS, DNP, NEA-BC, ACNS-BC, CCM
Patients with infective endocarditis (IE) due to opioid substance use disorder (SUD) and injection drug use (IDU) present to the acute care setting with a myriad of surgical, medical, psychiatric and social problems. The complexity of this patient population requires an experienced team of healthcare professionals to provide the care they need from admission to discharge. Case managers, as leaders in population health, patient advocacy and continuity of care, are important members of the multidisciplinary team to care for this patient population.
BY JENNY QUIGLEY-STICKNEY, MSN, RN, MHA, MA, CCM, ACM-RN, CMAC, CPHM, FCM
Over the last three years of the COVID-19 pandemic, many healthcare providers have confused public health and population healthcare specializations. Both concepts are equally important to the field of case management but take different approaches to how to heal the wounds of a nation.
BY KELVA EDMUNDS-WALLER, DNP, RN, CCM
Primary care is the gateway of healthcare delivery, positive health outcomes and health equity. Case managers can address implementation barriers by standardizing case management care delivery and collecting and communicating population health outcomes.
Thank you to everyone who joined us in person and digitally for the CMSA Annual Conference, June 27-30 in Las Vegas! It was an incredible week of learning, networking and fun. CMSA would like to recognize our incredible volunteers including our CMSA Board, committee members, chapter leadership, speakers, session volunteers and the Las Vegas Chapter for your hard work to make #CMSA2023 a success.
BY DR. COLLEEN MORLEY, DNP, RN, CCM, CMAC, CMCN, ACM-RN, FCM
Several years ago, while in my DNP population health class, I had a “discussion” with my instructor regarding the intersection of population health and the practice of professional case management.
BY ROGER ORSINI, MD, MBA, FACS, AND DENNIS ROBBINS, PhD, MPH
How many doctors and nurses are walking around with bright smiles on the outside while suffering darkness on the inside? How many of us continue with life without acknowledging the need for or seeking treatment, respite or some other form of help? How many of us are willing to die rather than confront what is overwhelmingly happening inside our heads?
BY DEETTA K. VANCE, DNP, FNP-BC
Eating disorders encompass a severe disturbance in eating behaviors, as well as emotional responses and thoughts resulting in unhealthy weight loss or gain.