The need to appoint a case manager is not something most people are familiar with. In fact, many people don’t actually know what a case manager is or what the role involves.
That isn’t unusual, and for most people, case management is something they will come across when they find themselves in a position of having had a life-changing illness or injury.
In that instance, a case manager can be absolutely crucial to the process of regaining quality of life, accessing the best and right rehabilitation and being supported in rebuilding their world which can often feel like it has been shattered.
But how do you choose the right case manager or case management company? Most people’s decision comes via recommendation from a lawyer or by typing ‘case management companies’ into a Google search.
But for many people, this can be a huge decision to take. A case manager will play a central role in supporting a person and their family from the day they are appointed, so it is vital to make the right choice.
A good case manager is someone you can be confident will always have your best interests at heart and will make a positive difference to you at a very difficult time – and that is why it is very important to take the time to research and explore options.
Here, we outline six key things to look out for in appointing a case manager:
- Relevant specialist experience
Ideally, you will appoint a case management company, and where possible a case manager, with experience relevant to your personal situation. Sometimes, specialism can be key in enabling them to have the knowledge and expertise that will best support you going forward.
Case managers often have specialism in brain injury, spinal injury, amputations, major trauma or life-changing injury, in either adults or children or both.
For example, at Breakthrough, our specialist case managers have specific areas of interest and expertise. They are matched with clients according to their skills, experience and clinical background.
Learn more about our team and how we work here.
- Knowledge and skills
It’s not just experience of your individual situation that is important, a good case manager will also have the knowledge and skills needed to get the right people on your team.
This means you will have access to the best possible practitioners relevant to you, which will see your case manager appoint expert physiotherapists, occupational therapists or any other disciplines that are needed, who understand your injury and unique needs.
Research shows that getting the correct support as quickly as possible following a traumatic injury can make an enormous difference to outcomes.
At Breakthrough, our case managers are all experienced professionals from a variety of clinical disciplines. They know how to navigate the system to shape and coordinate the best possible rehabilitation, care and therapy package, which can get things moving quickly and enable access to any therapy whenever it is needed.
- There for you and your family
A case manager is there to provide reassurance, support and guidance for you and your whole family. They should be accessible and available when you need them.
Because life continues outside office hours, case management isn’t always a 9 to 5 job, and nor should it be. At Breakthrough, we pride ourselves on our responsive and flexible approach to supporting our clients and their loved ones whenever they need us.
- Honest and authoritative – with care, compassion and understanding
Communication is vital in the weeks and months following a life-changing injury. Clear communication will have a positive impact on your outcomes and in rebuilding your quality of life.
Trust is crucial between a case manager and a client, and trust is impossible without honesty. At Breakthrough, we pride ourselves on getting straight to the point, and always being open and honest with our clients. We are realistic but don’t ever give false hope.
We keep things straightforward and simple, avoiding jargon and complex terminology, while respecting your needs and individual situation.
Perhaps most importantly, we listen to our clients and their families. What’s important to you is important to us. We’re not here to tell you what to do – we’re here to find out what you want and need, and to help make it happen. Our role centres around fighting your corner when you might not be able to do so yourself.
- Innovative approach to new solutions
A truly excellent case manager won’t accept the status quo. They will always proactively look for new innovations and ideas that will improve your quality of life and rehabilitation journey.
For example, this could include making use of the very latest in technology, such as sourcing new state-of-the-art prosthetics or robotic exoskeletons for individuals who have experienced limb loss or spinal cord injury.
The Breakthrough Case Management team supports clients to access groundbreaking treatments and we’re constantly keeping our eye on what is coming next. We don’t stop until we have done our very best to explore all the potential services, therapies, treatments and surgeries that might maximise your quality of life.
- Relevant qualifications and memberships
As well as experience in a relevant discipline, formal qualifications also make a difference to client outcomes and the quality of support a case manager delivers. Our case management team includes physiotherapists, neuro-physiotherapists, general nurses, specialist nurses, paediatric nurses and occupational therapists.
All our case managers are registered and hold membership of relevant professional bodies, such as the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). Each case manager adheres to respective codes of conduct and maintains their registration accordingly.
At the point in time when a case management company is selected, many of our clients are experiencing new challenges. Our team of case managers enable that ‘breakthrough’ moment when individuals and their families can look forward again, with positivity and optimism.
That’s the difference a good case management company makes, and why it’s important to make the right choice.
