The historical biomedical model of healthcare is a paternalistic approach assuming patients will do as they are instructed and have little capacity to influence care plan development. Currently, three forces are causing that historical model to evolve as patients are becoming empowered consumers of healthcare. The rise of the information age is giving power to the patient, while employers and the government are shifting purchase decisions to employees and beneficiaries. Ultimately this shift will be dramatic and will affect the dynamic by which consumers (no longer “patients”) will speak to their doctors, find information, and challenge the tenets of their health coverage.

These changes will create opportunities for case managers to engage with their clients. While some case managers will remain employed by traditional organizations (health plans and hospitals are the two largest employers of case managers by service setting), there will be increasing numbers of case managers who are employed by the consumer directly to serve as an expert guide, consultant, and advocate. Imagine the personal fulfillment when your professional practice is devoted to only one concern, finding the highest quality and most cost effective care for your consumer.  Imagine how this will change the profession of case management as a whole.

This session will explore the factors driving the change from disempowered patient to engaged consumer, and help to identify roles case managers may find opportune in the future.