Case Management GPS

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The next time I purchase a new vehicle there are several features I have on my wish list.  For as much as we case managers travel, Navigation is high on the priority scale to make life easier.  Under the pressure of arriving at a physician appointment on time, it's never a good feeling to take a wrong turn or get lost.

There are times our role as a case manager is much like a navigator. Deana Scott, RN had that experience just yesterday while attending a physician visit.  After three years of treatment for a work injury, the physician had nothing further to offer, and there appeared to be issues of malingering and symptom magnification.  There was a point at which the physician actually had a look in his eye of being lost as  far as how to bring the treatment course to an end.  Confusion centered around the injured worker's return to work goals.  

It's at times like this, a Case Manager is able to maintain focus and much like a navigator, help the physician to address return to work issues along carrier directed informational needs.  In this case, Deana gently reminded the physician of the physical demands of the job of injury. Even though the injured worker was no longer employed, his job description was the appropriate return to work goal. 

Some recovery roads are long, some have unexpected road blocks, twists and turns.  The journey will no doubt be a smoother one with a Case Manager GPS!