[Case management: a concept analysis].
While the case management approach has been increasingly applied to healthcare worldwide in recent years, significant differences in application exist among discrete medical systems. This paper applies a methodology outlined by Walker and Avant to analyze the case management concept. This methodology is designed to assist medical staff to understand a concept in order to better achieve concept goals. The case management approach works to leverage organizational strategies to resolve case-specific circumstances and issues in order to accomplish organizational goals. Defining attributes of case management include: (1) highly complex cases; (2) the use of multidisciplinary professional teams to resolve case problems in the most cost-effective manner; (3) the use of case managers to manage the effective integration and operation of the multidisciplinary team; and (4) helping cases improve and make effective use of medical system resources.
Department of Nursing, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Taiwan, ROC. nyko@mail.ncku.edu.tw.
Chien-Tai
CT
Yu
Ming-Chu
MC
Feng
Nai-Ying
NY
Ko
D019090:Case Management; D006801:Humans; D010348:Patient Care Team
case management; concept analysis