Advocacy Framework for Professional Case Management

ABSTRACT Purpose/Objectives: To present a practical advocacy and competency framework for professional case management. Primary Practice Setting(s): All practice settings across the continuum of health and human services and case managers of diverse health professional backgrounds. Findings and Conclusion: Advocacy is a core standard within professional case management practice. It is essential for the protection of patients' rights, equitable access to services, and achievement of optimal health and well-being outcomes, across the continuum of care. The advocacy framework described herein was developed based on ethical, legal, clinical, and policy perspectives. It articulates specific knowledge requirements, skills, behaviors, and performance expectations across four primary advocacy domains: ethical and professional, legal and regulatory, clinical and practice-based, and systems and policy. Implications for Case Management: National standards consistently identify advocacy as a foundational obligation for professional case managers. Elements of the advocacy framework support workforce development, successful performance, and quality and organizational systems improvement. Acquiring foundational knowledge, skills, and competencies for optimal advocacy equips case managers with the ability and confidence to enact key advocacy-related behaviors to achieve desired outcomes for both the clients served and health care agencies or providers alike.