Case management knowledge and preparedness among public health nurses.
BACKGROUND
Taiwanese public health nurses are increasingly required to act as case managers. However, little is known about nurses' knowledge and preparedness levels in assuming the responsibilities of case management.


OBJECTIVE
This article explores the knowledge and preparedness levels of experienced public health nurses related to case management.


METHODS
A cross-sectional survey of Taiwanese public health nurses was conducted. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on participants' knowledge of case management and perceived preparedness levels in performing role activities. The questionnaire consisted of three sections: Section One featured 20 multiple-choice items, Section Two included case manager role activities, and Section Three gathered demographic information.


RESULTS
One hundred seventy-eight public health nurses were recruited from 10 health offices, with a 99% valid response rate. The overall average correct response rate for case management knowledge was 49%, which fell significantly below the minimum acceptable average score of 60%. Participants held neutral opinions regarding their preparedness levels for performing case management role activities, with a mean score of 3.2 (SD = 0.5, range = 1-5). In addition, this study unexpectedly found that the higher knowledge level group was significantly younger on average than the lower knowledge group. More than three quarters (82%) of participants had no prior education in case management.


CONCLUSIONS
The results reflect substantial gaps in Taiwanese public health nurses' knowledge and preparation for the practice of case management. There is an urgent need to strengthen case management continuing education for public health nurses and address knowledge deficits and the role activities identified with lower preparedness levels.
1PhD, RN, Assistant Professor, College of Nursing, Taipei Medical University 2PhD, RN, Associate Professor, College of Nursing, Graduate Institute of Nursing, Taipei Medical University 3PhD, RN, Associate Professor, School of Nursing, National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences.
Yeu-Hui
YH
Chuang
Min-Huey
MH
Chung
Wen-I
WI
Liu
D000328:Adult; D019090:Case Management; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D064689:Nurses, Public Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D013624:Taiwan; D055815:Young Adult