Case management for the elderly with complex needs: cross-linking the views of their role held by elderly people, their informal caregivers and the case managers.
In 2009, case management interventions were a new social service in France implemented within the framework of the PRISMA-France program (2006-2010). People who had benefitted from case management intervention were individuals, over 60 years old living at home in situations deemed complex by professionals. Their informal caregivers were also considered as users of the service. This research accompanied the interventions during the implementation of PRISMA-France attempting to explore the users' (old people and their informal caregivers) and case managers' first experiences of case management. Its aim is to provide a thorough knowledge of the dispositive in order to reveal any initial failings and to ensure optimum conditions for the onset of full implementation.



The study had a qualitative explorative design. Cross-linked representations of case-management were obtained through opened-ended and guided interviews with three types of informants: old people (19), their informal caregivers (11) and the case managers (5) who participated in the program during the first 6 months. Thematic analysis of the data was carried out.



The analysis revealed that each group of people generated its own representations of the case manager's role, even though the three groups of informants shared the idea that the case manager is first and foremost a helper. The case managers insisted on their proximity to the old people and their role as coordinators. The informal caregivers saw the professional as a partner and potential provider of assistance in accompanying old people. The old people focused on the personal connections established with the case manager.



The innovative and experimental dimension of case management in France and the flexible nature of the role generated a broad spectrum of representations by those involved. These different representations are, in part, the fruit of each individual's projected expectations of this social service. Analyzing the first representations of the case manager's role during the implementation phase of the CM service appears as a necessary step before considering the effects of the services. The implementation and the success of a case management model have to be evaluated regarding the previous healthcare context and the expectations of the people involved.
Laboratoire Lorrain de sciences sociales, Université de Lorraine, Nancy, France. Frederic.balard@gmail.com.
Frédéric
F
Balard
Epsylon (EA 4556), Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France.
Marie-Christine
MC
Gely-Nargeot
Centre Hospitalier de Rennes, Service de Gériatrie, Rennes, France.
Aline
A
Corvol
Hôpital Européen Georges-Pompidou, Service de Gériatrie, Paris, France.
Olivier
O
Saint-Jean
Université de Rennes 1, Centre Hospitalier de Rennes, Service de Gériatrie, Laboratoire CRAPE Centre de Recherches sur l'Action Politique en Europe, UMR 6051, Rennes, France.
Dominique
D
Somme
D000368:Aged; D017028:Caregivers; D019090:Case Management / Q000458:organization & administration*; D000071959:Case Managers; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D006299:Health Services for the Aged / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D024382:Professional Role; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012947:Social Work / Q000458:organization & administration*
Alzheimer’s disease; Case management; Frail older people; Old people with complex needs; Patient’s experience; Qualitative method