The role of community nurses as care managers

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Abstract
Care (or case) management has become an accepted means of co-ordinating community care for people with complex health and social needs. However, there currently exists little research to indicate whether this is an appropriate role for community nurses to adopt. The research described here aimed to go some way to filling this knowledge gap, using both survey methods (telephone and questionnaire) and case study analysis to identify the extent and type of activity current among community nurse care managers. The survey evidence suggests that nurses from a range of community specialisms are adopting the care management function, though patterns of practice are variable. More detailed study of 13 case examples highlights the importance of planning for assuming this role, and also of selecting an appropriate practice model, task definition, preparation/support and the development of protocols for the handling of ethical issues.

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