What is the difference between Care Coordination and Case Management?

Care Coordination and Case Management both aim to improve healthcare outcomes, but they differ in scope and focus. Care coordination emphasizes organizing and coordinating care activities across multiple providers to ensure seamless and effective care. Case management focuses on individualized needs, including assessment, planning, and monitoring, often within a specific setting or for a particular condition.

Care Coordination organizes patient care activities and information sharing among all participants to achieve safer, more effective care. It focuses on communication of the client’s needs and preferences, ensuring a patient-centered approach across various health services.

Case Management is a collaborative process involving assessment, planning, facilitation, and advocacy to meet an individual’s comprehensive health needs. It often targets specific diseases or conditions, using a structured care plan, and is more clinical in nature.

Care Coordination:

• Focus: Organization and communication among different healthcare providers to ensure clients receive timely and appropriate care.
• Scope: Broader, encompassing various aspects of care, including transitions between settings and ensuring continuity of care.
• Goal: To improve outcomes by optimizing communication and collaboration among healthcare professionals.

Case Management:

• Focus: Individualized assessment, planning, and monitoring of a client’s care within a specific setting or for a particular health condition.
• Scope: More targeted, focusing on specific needs and goals of an individual.
• Goal: To improve outcomes by providing individualized care and support.