How do you ensure informed consent in case management?

1 What is informed consent?

Informed consent is not just a signature on a form. It is a process of communication and collaboration between you and your client. It involves informing your client about the nature, purpose, benefits, risks, and alternatives of the services or interventions you offer or recommend. It also involves ensuring that your client understands the information, has the capacity to consent, and agrees voluntarily without coercion or undue influence. Informed consent should be ongoing and revisited whenever there are changes in your client's situation, needs, or preferences.

2 Why is informed consent important?

Informed consent is important for several reasons. First, it protects your client's rights and interests. By obtaining informed consent, you show that you value your client's autonomy, dignity, and self-determination. You also help your client make informed choices that align with their goals, values, and preferences. Second, it protects your professional integrity and accountability. By obtaining informed consent, you demonstrate that you adhere to the ethical and legal standards of your profession. You also reduce the risk of complaints, conflicts, or litigation. Third, it enhances your client's engagement and satisfaction. By obtaining informed consent, you foster a trusting and collaborative relationship with your client. You also increase your client's motivation, confidence, and commitment to their care plan.

3 How do you obtain informed consent?

Obtaining informed consent is not a one-size-fits-all approach, and it depends on your client's characteristics, circumstances, and culture. Nonetheless, there are several steps and strategies that you can follow to obtain informed consent effectively. For example, you should explain the purpose and scope of your case management services to your client, assess their capacity to consent, provide relevant and accurate information, respect their values and preferences, and document the consent process. Furthermore, you should tell them what you can and cannot do as a case manager, clarify the expectations and boundaries of your relationship with them, determine if they have the ability to understand and communicate their decisions, give them information about the services or interventions you offer or recommend, ask them about their goals, values, and preferences, acknowledge any concerns they have, explore the pros and cons of different options with them, obtain their signature or verbal agreement on the consent form, provide them with a copy of it, and update the consent form when needed.

4 What are some of the challenges of informed consent?

Informed consent is not always easy or straightforward, and you may encounter some challenges or barriers in your case management practice. Complexity can arise when working with clients who have multiple needs, such as chronic conditions or disabilities. Diversity should also be taken into account, as clients may have different expectations or understandings of case management services. Additionally, you may encounter vulnerable and marginalized clients who face barriers to access, power imbalances, stigma, or discrimination. In these cases, you may need to adapt your consent process to suit the client's changing needs and cultural context, involve their family or other supports if appropriate and with permission, and advocate for their rights and interests. It is also important to address any factors that may influence or interfere with the client's consent.

5 How do you overcome the challenges of informed consent?

Informed consent is not a one-time event, but rather a dynamic and interactive process that requires ongoing attention, effort, and skill. To ensure informed consent in your case management practice, you need to apply core competencies and principles of case management, such as communication, collaboration, assessment, planning, and advocacy. Communication involves effectively and respectfully listening to your client and other stakeholders, asking open-ended questions, clarifying misunderstandings, providing feedback, and confirming agreements. Collaboration requires establishing rapport, trust, and mutual respect while sharing information and involving relevant parties in the consent process. Assessment involves assessing your client's needs and evaluating the services or interventions you offer or recommend. Planning involves setting goals with your client, identifying strategies and resources, monitoring progress and outcomes, reviewing and revising plans as needed, and documenting changes. Advocacy requires respecting autonomy and self-determination while addressing any barriers that may affect consent or care. By ensuring informed consent in your case management practice, you can enhance your client's well-being as well as your professional reputation.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?