Supporting the Support System: How Assessment and Communication Can Help Patients and Their Support Systems.

Purpose/objective: The benefits of having a support system, such as social relationships with close friends and family, have been well documented for patients with serious health issues. As scientific evidence has shown, individuals who have the lowest level of involvement in social relationships face a greater mortality risk. Support systems, however, are not infallible.

Assessing the whole person: case managers take a holistic approach to physical and mental health.

Purpose/objective: Given the prevalence of mental health issues, particularly depressive disorders, in the U.S. population, professional case managers should increase their sensitivity to and awareness of mental illnesses, as well as their impact on physical health.

Pain management: screening and assessment of pain as part of a comprehensive case management process.

Purpose/objective: Pain management, episodic and chronic, is a major issue in health care today, affecting more than 76 million people across care-delivery settings from acute care to rehabilitation, workers' compensation to primary care. As a result, professional case managers occupy an important role within an interdisciplinary care team to address pain as part of a comprehensive case management process, from intake and assessment through care delivery and transitions of care.

Primary Practice Setting: Pain management, as part of the comprehensive case management process, is applicable across the case management spectrum, including hospitals, accountable care organizations, patient-centered medical homes, physician practices, clinics, occupational health clinics, workers' compensation, and other settings in which case managers work with clients and their support systems.