PREPARATION OF REHABILITATION COUNSELORS FOR CASE MANAGEMENT PRACTICEIN HEALTH-CARE SETTINGS

The purpose of this study was to examine knowledge areas perceived by rehabilitation counselors as important for effective case management p ractice in managed care settings. A total of 1,208 certified rehabilit ation counselors who applied for and met the eligibility criteria for the certified case manager credential were asked to complete the 132-i tem Certification for Case Manager Questionnaire (CCMQ). Factor analys es of their responses revealed five knowledge domains essential for ca se management practice: Medical Treatment Modalities and Services, Com munity and Services, Professional and Problem-Solving, Cost and Psycho social Aspects of Disability Counselors' responses to questions regard ing the degree to which they felt prepared in these knowledge areas su ggest they feel fairly well prepared in Psychosocial Aspects of Disabi lity, but less well prepared in Medical Services, Community Resources, Professional Judgement and Problem-Solving, and Cost Containment. Imp lications for rehabilitation case management practice as well as educa tion and training requirements are discussed.