[The case manager--from words to deeds?].
BACKGROUND
Allocation of a case manager is now mandatory for both in- and outpatients in Denmark. Case manager allocation is reported quarterly to the regions and results are generally satisfying. Knowledge about fulfillment of the case manager role is, however, sparse. This study aims to examine the degree of fulfillment of the case manager role for a sample of inpatients.


METHODS
Two medical and two surgical wards participated. Patients were interviewed in relation to discharge while staff assigned as case managers completed a survey. Both patients and case managers answered questions regarding the defined roles as case managers: Planning/coordination, continuous information and discharge planning.


RESULTS
107 of 125 eligible patients were interviewed. Only 25 declared themselves informed about the allocation of a case manager. The patients' assessment of the service provided by the staff in relation to case manager tasks was generally good, but the services were seldom provided by the named case manager. 22% of patients did not experience continuous information, while only 13% did not experience a generally coherent stay in hospital. 110 case managers completed the survey. Less than half felt themselves well informed about the case manager role. Only a few case managers feel that they succeed in fulfilling the role, particularly regarding the participation in discharge planning.


CONCLUSIONS
There seems to be a need for a targeted effort to improve the conditions for case managers in Danish hospitals in order to meet the intentions of this initiative.
Lindegaard
Birthe Rosenkrantz
BR
Region Syddanmark, Center for Kvalitet, P.V. Tuxensvej 3-5, DK-5500 Middelfart, Denmark. birthe.lindegaard@regionsyddanmark.dk
Qvist
Peter
P
D019090:Case Management; D003718:Denmark; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D010351:Patient Discharge; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012380:Role; D013503:Surgery Department, Hospital; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D000078329:Workforce