Posted on 03/08/2023 - 3:33 PM
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Commission for Case Manager Certification commends strength of social workers during National Social Work Month
The Commission joins National Academy of Medicine Collaborative on Clinician Well-Being and Resilience
MOUNT LAUREL, NJ, March 9, 2023—The Commission for Case Manager Certification applauds social workers this National Social Work Month for their contributions to improving health care outcomes and announces a new affiliation to support case managers struggling with increasing levels of burnout, depression, and anxiety among the health care workforce.
Clients grappling with complex health care needs in a convoluted system face challenges that may hinder their health outcomes. According to a new workforce survey from the Commission, social workers—who comprise about 9% of the over 50,000 board-certified case managers holding the Certified Case Manager (CCM®) credential,—can help empower clients to overcome these hurdles across an array of settings and bring additional expertise that enhances case management excellence. With their thorough understanding of social determinants of health, social workers bring an important whole-person perspective as valuable team members who coordinate care and care transitions, advocate on behalf of their clients, connect clients with crucial community and social resources, and offering emotional support.
The Commission honors social workers’ tremendous achievements, but notes that as a part of the health care workforce facing rising rates of stress and emotional exhaustion, they grow increasingly likely to face challenges of their own.
Acknowledging the urgent need to address the health care burnout crisis, the Commission has joined the National Academy of Medicine (NAM) Action Collaborative on Clinician Well-Being and Resilience, a growing network of organizations committed to advancing solutions to the alarming levels of burnout among U.S. health care professionals. This Collaborative supports NAM’s National Plan for Health Workforce Well-Being, launched in October 2022, which includes the following three strategies:
1. Creating and sustaining positive work and learning environments and culture
2. Investing in measurement, assessment, strategies, and research
3. Supporting mental health and reducing stigma
These priorities align closely with the Commission’s mission and strategic priorities as well as its focus to support certificants as they face current workforce challenges. “Case managers, many of whom are social workers, provide indispensable support to help clients achieve optimal health, and we honor their resilience,” said MaryBeth Kurland, MPA, CAE, ICE-CCP, CEO of the Commission. “However, if their own overall well-being is in question, their ability to support clients is greatly diminished. In joining NAM’s Collaborative, the Commission continues our commitment to building resilience and supporting a healthy workforce culture for our certificants. We intend to seek ways to help certificants overcome these challenges just as they do for their clients.”
In surveys fielded by the Commission over the last two years, respondents consistently cited stress as a significant challenge. Nearly half (45%) of respondents reported being overworked and expecting long hours and large caseloads to continue. More than a quarter (27%) cited personal mental health issues. In addition, close to 15% indicated they planned to resign within a year of their response, and 20% expected worsening compensation and benefits. Large-scale burnout was, and remains, a significant risk among the case manager population.
“Our chief aim is to see case managers and disability management specialists empowered, strong and united,” noted Teri Treiger, RN, MA, CCM, CHCQM, FABQAURP, Chair of the Commission. “This is the vision that will continue to motivate us to ensure professional board-certified case managers and disability management specialists flourish in an environment that supports professional development and personal accomplishment.”
About the Commission for Case Manager Certification
The Commission for Case Manager Certification is the first and largest nationally accredited case management certification organization, credentialing more than 50,000 professional case managers and disability management specialists. The Commission is a nonprofit, volunteer organization that oversees the process of case manager certification with its CCM® and CDMS® credentials. Offering an extensive portfolio of certification and professional advancement activities, the Commission is the most active and prestigious certification organization supporting the practices of case management and disability management. For more information, visit www.ccmcertification.org and www.cdms.org, connect with the Commission on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @CCM_Cert.