The measurement of a case manager's workload burden

Objective: The aim of this activity was to develop an appropriate scale to accurately assess the level of clinical load carried by each case manager a t the Royal Brisbane Hospital Integrated Mental Health Service. Method: A survey of, and consultation with, case managers over a period of 15 months was used to gather data and modify the monitoring tool for future use in the service. Results and Conclusion: Analysis of the data gathered revealed the level of case managers' work load burden and the depth of need required by clients. Professionally the Clinical Load Monitoring scores have been used in the a llocation of additional cases for case management and in the supervision by discipline seniors. Service management has used the Clinical Load Monitori ng Scale by dividing individual caseloads into low, medium and heavy servic e users - with low service users being further investigated for discharge f rom the service. Heavy service users were assessed for entry into more inte nsive treatment areas.