Case management in healthcare: the path to better patient care!

Case management in healthcare: the path to better patient care!

A new cohort in the area of ​​case management started on March 26, 2025, with 20 participants led by Frank Schuster. This nine-month program trains professionals in essential aspects of patient-centered care in health and social care. According to the DI University The aim of the further training is to prepare specialists for interdisciplinary collaboration and to strengthen their role as case managers.

As part of the training, participants acquire knowledge ranging from consulting, communication and organization to quality assurance. This content is taught both online and in face-to-face modules. Case management plays a crucial role in coordinating and optimizing care processes and supports patients and clients through various levels of care.

The challenges in healthcare

However, the reality in the healthcare system is complex. According to an analysis, the proportion of patients who do not require complex care is around 70%. These cases are often standardized and less resource intensive. In contrast, around 30% of patients who are highly cost-intensive, multimorbid and chronically ill require around 80% of the care days. These people go through multiple phases of the healthcare system and require targeted control through case management, as the presentation shows Slideserve shows.

A central problem is the so-called revolving door effect, in which recurring hospital stays require constant updating of the aftercare structures. In addition, the health sectors are often not sufficiently connected, which leads to poor transparency and coordination and ultimately wastes resources and increases costs.

The solution through case management

The solution offers effective case management, which uses systematized communication channels, as demonstrated in the Cologne Case Management Model, to optimize the care process through targeted organization and coordination of the sectors. It turns out that well-structured case management can reduce frictional losses and thus increase the quality of care. This not only leads to an increase in efficiency, but also reduces the costs incurred.

In order to successfully overcome the challenges in the healthcare system, support from strategic decision-makers is necessary. Universities and educational institutions play a central role in personnel and organizational development in order to ensure responsibilities and quality assurance by case managers.

Case management that is linked to functioning system management can create the necessary connection between patient orientation and economic aspects.

Outlook and next steps

A case management quality circle will take place on April 14, 2025, which will serve as an exchange and networking platform for graduates of the new cohort. The next DGCC-certified further training courses in the area of ​​case management are planned for the end of 2025. Anyone interested can register now without obligation in order to benefit from these future-oriented approaches to healthcare.