What is the role of a case manager in healthcare?

The role of a case manager in healthcare primarily focuses on coordinating patient care across various services. This involves assessing patients' needs, creating care plans, and ensuring that patients receive appropriate services at the right time in their healthcare journey. Case managers act as a point of contact among multiple healthcare providers, patients, and family members to streamline communication and facilitate care transitions, such as moving from hospital to home or to rehabilitation services.

By coordinating with different disciplines, case managers help to optimize patient outcomes and enhance the overall efficiency of the healthcare system. They work to minimize gaps in care, avoid redundant services, and ensure that the patient’s needs are met comprehensively throughout their treatment.

The other roles mentioned, such as overseeing administrative operations, providing direct medical treatment, or managing hospital staff and schedules, are not within the specific responsibilities of a case manager. Instead, those tasks are typically associated with administrative and direct care roles, which are distinct from the coordination-focused role of a case manager.