title: Decision-making and nurse case management: a philosophical perspective.
abstract: Decision-making related to resource allocation in home care case management practice is addressed from the unique perspective of nursing. The case management process stipulates the adherence to both client-centered and system-centered goals. Issues that emerge from this process include the ethical dilemma of deciding the equitable and fair distribution of resources related to the provision of appropriate levels of service; economic factors as they relate to limited financial resources; and the variance among case managers in their decision-making. Moderate realism, as compared to critical and feminist theory, provides a philosophical perspective that allows a practical interpretation of these issues.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. kdfraser@ualberta.ca
authors.forename: Kimberly D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Fraser
authors.forename: Vicki
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Strang
mesh_terms: D019090:Case Management / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003657:Decision Making; D015276:Health Care Rationing / Q000379:methods; D006699:Home Care Services; D006801:Humans; D009729:Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*