When people think of care managers, they often think about nurses and other staff members assigned to the care of senior citizens as they transition from home or hospital to assisted living facility. While many care managers work in that capacity, the field is actually much broader. Care managers advocate for patients during treatment and help them prioritize health care, as well as establish a healthy lifestyle.

Some care managers work with the families of patients to help provide stable care in every aspect of the patient’s life. In a study funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration, Maternal Child Health Bureau, children who were being evaluated for ADHD showed significant improvement with increased care manager involvement. Care managers helped teach parents how to manage challenging behaviors and participate in the child’s treatment. An estimated 25% of adults are diagnosable for one or more disorders annually, including ADHD, depression, anxiety, and eating disorders.

Nurses and other healthcare professionals who wish to become care managers have a new option for education, as the University of Rochester School of Nursing Center for Lifelong Learning showcases its online Care Manager Education Course. The first of its kind in the country, the School of Nursing program emphasizes personal engagement and interaction.

Students will learn the best techniques to use in daily interactions with patients, as the course defines and standardizes their role as a care manager.

“This course helps to bring care managers onto the same page, defines the role’s core responsibilities, and explains how care management aligns with payment and structural reform in our evolving health care system,” stated professor of clinical nursing Daryl Sharp.

The new course is open to anyone who wishes to learn, though it is designed for nurses and other health professionals who are interested in taking on a role as a care manager. Tuition is $990, though employees of the University of Rochester Medical Center and its affiliates will receive a 50% discount.

[Image courtesy of URMC News.]