Concept Analysis of Nursing Case Management

摘要

This investigation examined the concept of nursing case management using Rodgers'(1993) framework of concept analysis. A comprehensive computer search of literature indexed in the disciplines of nursing, medicine, psychology, and sociology yielded a sample of 351 articles in which nursing case management was addressed. Since many descriptions of nursing case management exist, there is difficulty and confusion in defining the role of nursing in case management. This finding, in conjunction with the expanding need for case management, led to the development of a research project directed at the clarification of the concept of nursing case management. The purpose of a concept analysis is to clarify the way the concept is used in practice. Using Rodgers' framework, data were separated into six major categories: (1) surrogate terms; (2) related concepts; (3) references; (4) antecedents; (5) attributes; and (6) consequences. As each article in the sample was evaluated, statements that focused on the major categories were identified. Data in the form of word phrases, or terms, were derived from the content of each article on each major category. Certain terms were placed in different categories depending on how they were used in a particular article, for example managed care could be either a surrogate term or a related concept. Discovering many surrogate terms provided evidence that there was difficulty agreeing upon a definition of nursing case management. Managed care, one of the related concepts discovered, indicated nursing case management was an integral part of the managed care puzzle. Two main references were identified: setting and population.