Case Management Strategies for Substance Abuse Clients

The evidence-based practice has become a core in offering quality healthcare services in nearly all areas of the system. In fact, documented studies show from research evidence some best practices have emerged more effective resulting in better outcomes of rehabilitation clients. The writers also point out that research in health care practice helps identify gaps for improvement of service (Chronister and Chan et al. These views are also true in managing caseloads and case management for persons involved in substance abuse on which this paper is based. The paper discusses the methods and strategies used in managing caseload and case management for substance abusers. The information collected can also be used to monitor the caseload, source for funding, staffing and institute caseload policies (Children’s Bureau, 2016).

Instituting proper work processes and supports at organization level would increase efficiency in managing substance abuse caseloads. The processes include streamlining job requirements to practical needs and alternative work arrangements like telecommuting, compressed work weeks in addition to creating flexibility for workers to meet work demands and improve on performance. Provision of work supports such as advanced technology like smartphones, tablets, laptops etc allows fast access to information, eases casework documentation as well as communication with clients and stakeholders. Another strategy to manage caseloads would be implementation of appropriate programs, use of evidence based practice and positive organizational systems. It is also necessary to prioritize the caseload to know things which are urgent and the same should be acted on promptly.

The worker should also plan and manage time properly factoring in activities like meetings, follows-ups and timings for each. The same should reflect on daily planning featuring the urgent and non-urgent tasks and where possible clear difficult tasks early in the day when fresh. The worker should also utilize services of a supervisor in case of challenges and irrespective of workload one should remain patient and never panic. In addition to the outlined techniques specific to managing caseload, other strategies attributed to case management are also activities in caseload. The classification helps in making an informed decision to implement appropriate risk category-based interventions and also treatments which promote better health outcomes for the client. In planning client and case management team jointly formulate a comprehensive case management work plan of care with inputs from client and relevant healthcare providers.

The team defines the client’s short and long-term goals, develops strategies for each goal, defines timeframes and assigns responsibilities to actions in the strategy. The planning captures client's self-care management needs, future services needed after present care episode, measurable and achievable care outcomes which apply evidenced-based standards. Implementation is execution of specific activities and interventions essential for achieving the goals in client’s case management work plan of care. Some of the care outcomes evaluated are; clinical, psychosocial, physical functioning, ability to manage self-care, satisfaction level, health condition knowledge level and available plan of care, etc. The evaluation findings are shared with involved stakeholders including client, client support system and care providers. Based on how the functions in the strategies are performed, 4 different models which also serve as strategies are used in case management programs and the case manager or team of managers chooses one of models depending on the functions.

These models or approaches include; brokerage /generalist model in which there are few initial contacts and limited direct services as case manager focuses mainly on rapid linkage and referral. Then there is strengths-based perspective which is a specialized approach in which substance abusers are helped to identify own strengths, assets and then define goals and ways to use the strengths and assets to attain set goals. The substance use outcomes showed that in previous month, the average days with alcohol problems which clients had posted a decrease from 15. 6 at baseline to 10. 7 within 3 months and then 11. 8 within 6 months while the days which client had problems with drugs also declined from 12. 5 at baseline to 7. 3 at baseline to 59. 2 within 6 months (Draanen and Corneau et al.