The impact of caseload on the personal efficacy of mental health case managers

Objective: The relationship between caseload size and self-perceived clinic al effectiveness of mental health case managers was explored. Methods: A 17 -item instrument developed for the study the Case Manager Personal Efficacy Scale (CMPES), was completed by 300 community mental health case managers in Australia. Efficacy scores were examined in relation to caseload size an d to respondents' scores on the General Health Questionnaire. Results: The GRIPES was sensitive to changes in caseload size. Case managers with larger caseloads reported lon er performance in a range of core role activities. Larger caseload had a weak but significant negative association with genera l well-being as measured by the General Health Questionnaire. Conclusions: Case load size had a significant impact on the self-perceived role performa nce of mental health case managers. The GRIPES is a reliable measure of cas e manager personal efficacy that is sensitive to variation in work context.