What is Case Management?

Case management is a collaborative process which assesses, plans, implements, coordinates, monitors and evaluates the options and services required to meet an individual’s health, care, educational and employment needs, using communication and available resources to promote quality cost effective outcomes (CMSUK Standards of Practice 2005).

Case management interventions are all the actions taken by the case manager with, or on behalf of the client, from enrolment to discharge. This can include prioritising, planning, implementing, co-ordinating, monitoring and evaluating the options and services required to address agreed goals and to promote quality, cost effective outcomes.

Role of CDMP in the UK

Certified Disability Management Professionals (CDMP’s) may work in a variety of settings. Many work internally within their own organisation such as insurers or as a provider within the NHS. Others may provide direct services to people with health problems or disabilities, as they look to enter/re-enter the workplace or return to work after a period of absence.

CDMP’s can also work in areas such as H.R. where they can work with others to administer Absence Management services, development of policies and procedures, promotion of Return-to-Work concepts through education and training within their organisations

Skills of CDMP:

DISABILITY CASE MANAGEMENT

 Understand the roles and functions of multidisciplinary team in the on-going treatment and care of an individual

 Utilize early intervention for entry or return to work.

 Apply physical and functional (work) capacity evaluations.

 Evaluate individuals’ adjustment to illness/disability.

 Assess needs of the worker.

 Assess workplace factors that impact disability management outcomes.

 Assess factors that contribute to motivation and readiness to participate in disability management

program.

 Identify incentives and disincentives to involvement in absence management planning.

 Develop goals and plans with the individual.

 Coordinate internal and external resources to implement plans.

 Consider positive and negative characteristics of “outsourcing” case management services when

developing disability management programmes within the organisation.

 Establish collaborative relationships with multidisciplinary teams.

 Develop criteria to assess effectiveness and quality of external provider services.

 Identify and access funding programs.

 Build and maintain local community resource network.

 Utilize cost containment strategies.

 Manage time effectively.

 Plan and organise a schedule.

 Establish priorities within caseload.

RETURN TO WORK CO-ORDINATION

 Assess personal and work adjustment needs.

 Coordinate assessment of functional capacity of worker.

 Analyse job duties and requirements.

 Conduct detailed functional job analyses.

 Demonstrate working knowledge of functional ergonomics.

 Develop capacity within the workplace to provide early intervention.

 Facilitate rehabilitation interventions and job placement and return to work coordination

 Identify systemic barriers to job return to work or employment.

 Develop guidelines and procedures for transitional work programme.

 Facilitate job modification, accommodation, workplace redesign and assistive technology.

 Provide information to health care providers on transitional work or modified work opportunities to gain their “buy-in” to the process.

 Facilitate ongoing contact between the employee and other support systems.

 Develop return to work plan with the worker, worker representative, manager, and health care

providers.

 Implement return to work plan.

 Monitor and adjust individual return to work plan.

 Maintain case management records.