BY LISA SIMMONS-FIELDS, DNP, MSA, RN, CCM, CPHQ, AND LIBBY JACOBSON, MPH
As we know, the underlying causes of a condition can be much more than condition burden or symptoms. Social needs and untreated or undertreated conditions are common contributors to poor health.
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.
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 MICHAEL JOHNSON, BSN, RN, HN-BC
Case managers have been using electronic systems that identify clients for outreach for many years. Whether daily, weekly or monthly, a list of clients is presented for the case manager to initiate engagement.
BY GARRY CARNEAL, JD, MA, AND PAT STRICKER, RN, MEd
With the rise of digital health and the impact of the COVID pandemic, these and other forces have changed almost every phase of healthcare in recent years. How case managers interface with their patients and the tools they use to do so is one prime example of the changing landscape. The arrival of telehealth and the constant opportunity to use emerging technology applications only adds to the complexity and excitement.