Nursing case management in the millennium. Two perspectives.

Abstract

To prepare case managers for the next millennium, Russell Coile, a noted healthcare futurist, and Pamela Matthews, a respected clinician and consultant, participate in a dialogue. Coile takes a broad view of millennial issues, while Matthews responds to those issues with her clinician's perspective. Case management will face challenges and opportunities as a result of internal and external pressures to the healthcare community. These pressures, both near- and far-term, will simultaneously strengthen and tax the case manager's responsibilities. Developments in technology and demands for more and better access to high-quality patient information will require nursing case managers to expand their knowledge of, and influence over, the application of technology and information systems. Case managers will need to participate in advocating, planning, and deploying these systems. Technological challenges will not change case managers' fundamental roles within an organization, but they will strengthen and support those roles by harnessing the information necessary to allow more efficient outcomes, create standards of care, and increase patient satisfaction.