Scoping Review of Nursing Case Management in the United States

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to identify issues of case management (CM) interventions in the United States in recent studies and to identify implications for future research into CM. This study was guided by the following framework for a scoping review. Multiple electronic databases were searched to identify studies published between 2007 and 2016 in the United States and related to nursing CM. Five weaknesses were identified: no clear and consistent definition of CM, lack of theoretical frameworks, lack of standard guidelines in CM practice, lack of precise CM dosage and of process measures, and limited reports of explicit role of nurse case managers and role confusion by nurses. Three strengths were also identified. More rigorous and continuous efforts to develop theoretical frameworks and evaluation tools, as well as clear definitions and precise role descriptions, are required for future research and practice into CM.