Adapting Case Management Practices Amidst the COVID-19 Crisis: End-of-Life Care, Workers' Compensation, and Self-Care Needs

In an article published in Professional Case Management, the roles and responsibilities of case managers during the COVID-19 pandemic and their future implications are examined with a particular focus on end-of-life care, workers' compensation, and the self-care of professionals in the field.  

The scope of case management considered for the article was “…applicable to the various case management practice settings across the continuum of health and human services, with special focus on acute care,” said the author.  

The article suggested that the unprecedented challenges for case managers and health care professionals created by the COVID-19 pandemic also allowed for the exploration of innovative solutions, such as the use of digital technology, to ensure the continuous provision of essential services. Furthermore, the crisis has fostered valuable partnerships between health care organizations and professionals from different disciplines. Notably, the pandemic has emphasized the importance of timely palliative and end-of-life care for patients. Lastly, the focus on safety and well-being has led to an expansion of workers' compensation case management and a renewed emphasis on self-care and resilience. 

“This pandemic has forced the development of impactful partnerships and collaborations among the diverse contexts of health care organizations and support service providers. These contexts of care delivery have also emphasized the necessary legal and ethical practice of case managers and the other involved parties,” said the author. “Experts agree that the innovative care delivery methods practiced during the pandemic will undoubtedly remain as desirable beyond the current crisis period.”  

 
Reference  

Tahan HM.  Essential case management practices amidst the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis: part 2: end-of-life care, workers' compensation case management, legal and ethical obligations, remote practice, and resilience. Professional Case Management. 2020;25(5):267–284. doi:10.1097/NCM.0000000000000455