The social worker and nurse roles in case management: applying the Three Rs.

Abstract

There are different skill sets that nurse case managers and social workers need in order to have a good patient outcome. The issue is that there is a void in the relationship between social workers and nurses, and this void is founded on factors that can, and must, be addressed. This gap can be minimized by conscious effort, by addressing the issue, and by a willingness to maximize the energy expended in professional relationships to improve patient outcomes. Equally important is the professional experience of each practitioner. The intervention is based on Three Rs: Reciprocity, Responsibility, and Respect.