The concept continuum of care refers to the healthcare approach incorporating a holistic system of care capable of guiding and tracking patients over time through comprehensive practices of healthcare services across different levels of intensity of care. The concept of a continuum of care is one of the critical attributes applicable in case management. Researchers and healthcare practitioners conceptualize continuum of care as an integrated system of care, incorporating diverse mechanisms and services used to control the desires of the patients across the care setting. In the case management, continuum care is a reflection of the coordination of care services offered by the relevant case managers in the different or unique healthcare settings. Nurse case managers focus on addressing the needs and expectations of the patients. In this aspect, such nurses execute various functions and roles in the continuum of care.
Nurse case managers focus on aiding the development of desired relationship between healthcare practitioners and their patients. These nurses execute specific functions. One of the particular services is providing direct care to the patients in pursuit of the desired healthcare outcomes. Additionally, such nurses focus on utilizing their skills and knowledge to practice through improved coordination of the care services offered from different healthcare quarters and providers (De Regge, Pourcq, Meijboom, Trybou, Mortier, & Eeckloo, 2017). Integration of continuum of care in the case management is valuable in depicting the necessity of the healthcare practitioners engaging in the delivery of the unique services across one setting and multiple settings. For example, continuum of care creates room for the nurses to offer services while coordinating social, medial, and psychological services. Continuum of care is essential in the case of management in facilitating the realization of stability, holistic delivery of care, continuity, and improved healthcare outcomes while maximizing the desires of an individual and coordination of the activities in the health care sector.
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Besides, in the case management practices, patients obtain on-going care, as well as a clinical treatment. For instance, nurse case managers focus on offering patients the services associated with hospitalization and therapy sessions, particularly among the outpatients in pursuit of the desired quality healthcare outcomes. Continuum of care concentrates on different types of care, such as acute care, primary care, and home services aimed at achieving quality living conditions among the patients. Case management tends to relate to the scope of the concept of the continuum of care. For example, healthcare practitioners can concentrate on conceiving the essence of the continuum of care within the healthcare facility, and across the lifespan of the patient in question.
Researchers also believe that continuum of care is valuable in the development of the basis of the case management practices or programs. Case management is an essential component of the healthcare sector. It aims to move patients and their respective families or caregivers across the continuum of care in the provision of high-quality health care services. In the case management, continuum of care ensures the integration of the services and mechanisms associated with extended care, acute hospital care, home care, wellness, ambulatory care, and housing (Davis, Devoe, Kansagara, Nicolaidis, & Englander, 2012). Continuum of care remains an essential component of the case management because of its importance to the caregivers and patients in equal measures. Continuum of care contributes to the realization of the healthcare providers' goals by enhancing or improving the satisfaction levels and health while reducing the cost of delivering quality services and products aimed at enhancing healthcare outcomes.
References
Davis, M. M., Devoe, M., Kansagara, D., Nicolaidis, C., & Englander, H. (2012). "Did I do as best as the system would let me?" healthcare professional views on hospital to home care transitions. Journal of General Internal Medicine , 27(12), 1649-56.
De Regge, M., Pourcq, K. D., Meijboom, B., Trybou, J., Mortier, E., & Eeckloo, K. (2017). The role of hospitals in bridging the care continuum: A systematic review of coordination of care and follow-up for adults with chronic conditions. BMC Health Services Research , 17
