Case managers, individually and as members of community treatment teams, play a pivotal role in the provision of services to persons with SMI. Their responsibilities include a variety of functions aimed at supporting clients, coordinating services, and minimizing disruptions to care. Evidence presented here suggests, however, that the ability of case managers to carry out such vital functions may be compromised, even when working as members of treatment teams. This study presents data indicating that turnover among case managers is high--42% in one year. Moreover, rates vary greatly by team, ranging from 0 to 100% during the same period. This study explores factors associated with turnover among case managers at both the individual and team levels. Study participants include 370 case managers (81% response rate) who completed a self-administered survey distributed to all case management teams serving adults with SMI in four Ohio metropolitan counties. Team level data are presented for 53 community treatment teams. Individuals' intentions to turnover are tied to a wide variety of factors such as personal well-being, health, burnout, empowerment, team processes, and job satisfaction. A smaller subset of these variables are associated with actual turnover among case managers. An even smaller, but distinctively different set of variables is associated with variation in team level turnover rates. In particular, members' views about the intended outcomes of case management and their practices with clients are tied to team turnover rates rather than more traditional work-related factors such as job stressors or satisfaction.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session participants will be able to: 1. identify factors associated with the intention to turnover among case managers serving adults with severe mental illness. 2. identify factors associated with actual turnover among case managers. 3. articulate differences in the factors leading to turnover among case managers at the individual and team levels.
Keywords: Case Management, Sever Mental Illness
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.