Preparation of rehabilitation counselors for case management practice in health care settings

The purpose of this study was to examine knowledge areas perceived by rehabilitation counselors as important for effective case management practice in managed care settings. A total of 1,208 certified rehabilitation counselors who applied for and met the eligibility criteria for the certified case manager credential were asked to complete the 132-item Certification for Case Manager Questionnaire (CCMQ). Factor analyses of their responses revealed five knowledge domains essential for case management practice: Medical Treatment Modalities and Services, Community Resources and Services, Professional Judgement and Problem-Solving, Cost Containment, and Psychosocial Aspects of Disability. Counselors' responses to questions regarding the degree to which they felt prepared in these knowledge areas suggest they feel fairly well prepared in Psychosocial Aspects of Disability, but less well prepared in Medical Services, Community Resources, Professional Judgement and Problem-Solving, and Cost Containment. Implications for rehabilitation case management practice as well as education and training requirements are discussed.