M. Feltes et al., CASE MANAGERS AND PHYSICIANS - COMMUNICATION AND PERCEIVED PROBLEMS, Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 42(1), 1994, pp. 5-10
Objective: To describe case managers' perceptions of the physician-cas
e manager relationship. Design: A qualitative field study using in-dep
th open-ended interviews was used to elicit case managers' experiences
and practices. A multidisciplinary team analyzed transcripts using an
adaptation of the ''grounded theory'' approach of Glaser and Strauss.
Participants/Setting: Case managers were selected for interview using
a maximum variation sampling strategy within an established state-wid
e case management agency. Main Outcome Measures: Transcript analysis a
llowed for the organization of observations into themes, which were me
rged across interviews to generate theses.Results: Case managers repor
t that: (1) The case manager role is poorly understood by physicians.
(2) Physicians lack insight into the social and environmental aspects
of homebound elderly people. (3) Access to physician services is often
difficult to obtain. (4) Power struggles occasionally surface in care
planning. (5) Decisions by physicians and case managers regarding the
care of frail elderly are often made from different agenda. Conclusio
ns: From the perspective of case managers, gaps in interprofessional c
ommunication may hinder the optimal care of frail elderly individuals.