Vocational outcomes after brain injury in a patient population evaluated for Life Care Plan reliability.

This retrospective cohort study examined the vocational outcomes in forty-four traumatically brain injured patients. Patient files selected were limited to those who were seen for the development of an original Life Care Plan and were subsequently seen at least once for a complete update of that plan. Patients who were retired at the time of the brain injury were excluded.

Applying life care planning principles in acute situations.

In autumn of 2004, a US stop-loss carrier requested consultation regarding their in-house catastrophic case-management program. Their market was self-funded Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) plans with fewer than 10,000 lives. Although the company was committed to providing case management, they had problems with data gathering and communication with various third-party administrators (TPAs) for lack of a consistent flow of work and communication among all parties concerned.

The jury shall decide!

Those familiar with the code of professional conduct, set forth by the Commission for Case Manager Certification (CCMC), know of the expectations for case managers' behaviors. Professionals making application for certification must sign a statement committing to case management practice consistent with the law and the ethical requirements for their primary profession. The case manager's role and function have been repeatedly studied, based on input from the field and review of the literature.

Case management: heart and soul.

Dear Colleagues: As a seasoned case manager, I have had the opportunity to serve our specialty practice in the development of the definition of case management, the creation of our standards of practice, the evolution of our professional code of conduct, and, of course, the process of certification. Yet it is the stories of our shared time with our clients that truly define what we do and who we are and clarify our contribution to health care. It is by the telling of the story that we understand our roles, our behavior, and the value of our activities.