Your client requires more resources than available. How do you maintain quality care in this situation?

Being capable of prioritising client needs in the face of resource limitations is an important skill for any case manager to have. Often times we are not placed in organisations with an over abundance of resources for our clients to access. The question is less what can you do, but rather what should you prioritise that leads to the most amount of effective progress for your client. This could mean tackling step 3 of an intervention plan instead of 1.Being adaptive with available resources and creative in their use can help to stretch what you can feasibly provide to a client. Outside of this, one should strive to have a strong resource network to connect one’s client to other professionals or organisations that can meet the client’s needs.

O melhor caminho para priorizar as necessidades dos clientes é saber ouvi-los e identificar quais indicadores são essenciais e o que pode ser implementado progressivamente no devido momento do seu atendimento.

One thing that I found helpful is to have resources, lots of resources; to resource with other professionals within your organization; Have a list of individuals you can contact outside your organization for additional resources. When I'm stretched to my limit, the staff is short, and time is of the essence, reaching out for help and resourcing with others has been one of the most helpful things that I have found in this field, especially when it comes to discharging clients and finding appropriate levels of care and/or appropriate housing.

A way to overcome resource constraints like this one is to automate ordinary and none-essential time-consuming tasks. Freeing your team from having to do repetitive, administrative, or other tasks that are not relevant to the service they provide is now a must. From appointment management, to patient reports can be automated, and sometimes even with simple cost effective no-code tools. Take advantage of new technologies and use them in your favor to free up time and boost productivity & quality in your team members.

Regularly monitoring client progress is essential to delivering effective care, especially when resources are limited. By consistently assessing how clients respond to treatment and adapting care plans accordingly, we can ensure that their evolving needs are met. This ongoing evaluation empowers us to make informed decisions that uphold the quality of care, regardless of resource constraints. It also helps us to identify potential issues early, allowing for proactive adjustments that can prevent setbacks and optimize outcomes. This continuous, responsive approach ensures that even in challenging circumstances, we maintain a high standard of care.