Nurse case managers' perceptions of advocacy: a phenomenological inquiry.
Case managers are at the forefront of managed care as they seek creative ways to advocate for the best interests of patients, while adhering to the increasingly stringent utilization guidelines and cost constraints of managed care. Nurse care managers are in the ideal position to act as effective advocates because they have the skills needed to "work the system" both within and outside the hospital to ensure that the patient's needs are met.
Hellwig
Sharon Donahue
SD
Adventist HealthCare, Education Institute, Rockville, MD, USA. shellwig@blast.net
Yam
Marylou
M
DiGiulio
Mary
M
D000328:Adult; D019090:Case Management; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009738:Nursing Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010344:Patient Advocacy; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D028701:Patient Rights / Q000941:ethics; D012938:Social Perception