Team Case Management
Minnesota Rule 9520.0917 Case management team for adults with serious and persistent mental illness, permits MH-TCM services to be provided using a team approach.
In team case management, case managers plan and learn, as a group under the supervision of a professional experienced in working with persons with serious mental illness.
There are four advantages to this team approach:
First, research has found in order to provide quality service to clients, highly individualized plans must be developed for each consumer. This requires a high degree of creativity which is difficult to achieve consistently as an individual case manager. However, using the brain storming method of problem solving and generating alternatives, is not only highly effective, but can also be very exciting and challenging to the team members involved.
Second, an effective way of exchanging information (e.g., what resources exist and how to gain access to them) various perspectives/expertise and of learning.
The third advantage of this model is that it has the potential to decrease the level of burnout that case managers may experience. There is an opportunity to share services and challenges.
The fourth advantage is that team case managers can see each other’s clients. All the team knowledge and expertise become available to the client.
There are limitations to the team approach. Case managers may not receive sufficient individual clinical supervision. Some team members will be less assertive in participating and expressing their knowledge and opinions. Sensitive topics of a client’s life or the case manager’s competence may not be appropriate to discuss in a team setting.