Case management: developing practice through action research

Citation

Smith A, MacKay S & McCulloch K (2013) Case management: developing practice through action research. British Journal of Community Nursing, 18 (9), pp. 452-458. https://doi.org/10.12968/bjcn.2013.18.9.452

Abstract
This article is a report of an action research study carried out with community nurses to help develop case management within their practice. Using action research principles, nurses reviewed and analysed their current practice and developed recommendations for further embedding case management as a means of supporting patients with complex care needs in their own homes. Findings indicate that a number of factors can influence the community nurse’s ability to implement case management. These factors include approaches to case finding, availability of resources and interprofessional working. Important considerations for nurses were the influence of the context of care, the geographical location and the health needs of the local patient population, which meant that case management may need to be adapted to meet local circumstances.

Keywords
Case management; Community nursing; Action research

Journal
British Journal of Community Nursing: Volume 18, Issue 9

People

Dr Annetta Smith

Senior Lecturer, Health Sciences (Highland & W.Isles)