Geriatric Case Managers

Integration Into Physician Practices

Netting, Ellen F. PhD
Williams, Frank G. PhD

F. Ellen Netting, PhD, is a Professor at the School of Social Work, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA. Frank G. Williams, PhD, is a Professor at the School of Health Administration and Policy, College of Business, Arizona State University, Tempe, AR.

Offprints. Address requests for offprints to: F. Ellen Netting, PhD, Professor, School of Social Work, Virginia Commonwealth University, 101 West Franklin Street, Richmond, VA 23284-2027.

Care Management Journals 1(1):p 3-9, Spring 1999.

Integration of case management proved to be a key variable in a national demonstration at nine sites of alternative models designed to enhance primary care of frail elders. Numerous semistructured interviews of participants revealed a number of areas important to achieving successful integration. These areas include making favorable first impressions, building relationships, learning to collaborate, having proximity and contact, communicating, and demonstrating benefits to patients and physicians.