In healthcare industry today, care coordination models normally entails systematic strategies that are geared towards enhancing continuity and bridge transition gaps of care. In most cases, this employs the case of care or rather case management, whereby a responsible individual or team assist the patients in managing their medical care and navigate interactions with the health care systems (Vrijhoef, 2022). A care coordination model is operated by care coordinators who connect people to health and human service programs. Such systems play an important role in making referral, developing a personalized care plan, and in managing the exchange of information between health care providers and other human services organization. An effective and efficient care coordination model takes into account the general continuum of health care services, knowledge transmission, early child care and primary care and early intervention mechanism, food and nutrition elements and housing among other human services which are essential in improving the quality of life for the general population.
There are a number of care coordination programs models which are in place and there are geared towards achieving the unique needs of diverse individuals in populations and the communities. Majority of these models are primarily for integration of health and human services. Examples of these care coordination models include the Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) model which is structured in a manner that enhances the integration of care for frail older adults who qualify for both Medicaid and Medicare services (Ruiz et al., 2020). Wraparound Model is also another example of care coordination model which plays an important role in the coordination for children with substantial or complex needs together with their families.
Others include Community HUB Model which creates a centralized registry of at risk persons for a network of care coordination organizations, Community Health Worker Model which utilizes public health care personnel to do liaison between the target communities and a diverse set up of health, human and social services agencies, Nurse-Family Partnership Model, Health Homes Model, Mobile Unit Model and Supportive Housing Model among many other care coordination models within the health care industry (Peterson et al., 2019).
This paper proposes a care coordination model which would cover mental health cases. In every population, mental health is among critical concerns that touch on the wellbeing of the general public irrespective of gender, age, color and social and political status (Ruiz et al., 2018). A care coordination framework on this aspect would focus on the specific competencies and how the goals, community resources, and interdisciplinary measures are geared towards realization of the desired outcomes. The mental health care coordination model would demand that a critical understanding of the various aspects of mental health, its primary signs and symptoms, and the measures that can be initiated in order to cushion the continuum of care.
The model will aim at addressing mental health risk and related elements such as the environment, the upbringing, and drugs and substance abuse. It will also take into account genetic and biological factors among other appropriate factors that make people become susceptible to mental instability. The care coordination model for mental health cases would make it possible to carry out activities, behavioral change initiatives and treatments which target the mind, body and emotions (Kuo et al., 2018). The model would also effectively and efficient address best initiatives and activities that enhance holistic health care practices that would keep the integration of care going for the victims and the entire community. The model would employ a collaborative framework which is patient-centered care plans to address the competencies pointed out.
The model would also enhance coordination and collaboration with the patients’ families and hence enhancing a mutually agreed upon health care intervention objectives which in the long run would lead to the improvement of the general care outcomes. This mental health coordination model is mainly envisioned towards making nurses and the entire team of health care professionals realizes a satisfying and motivating patient experience as a result of this very patient centered model which, without doubt, greatly appeals to their minds, body and the soul (Hannigan et al., 2018). Additionally, the mental health coordination model should subject the patients to self-care interventions including literacy sessions, in order to counter the risks associated with drugs and stressful environments or conditions. Being patient centered, the model has to be core competent and ensure it elevates the patient’s status and make good use of their values and beliefs in enhancing a change in their mental health conditions.
Since care coordination is an important aspect in healthcare industry, it has to be done deliberately in order to organize patient care activities and enhance effective sharing of information among all the players taking part in the patients’ care in order to realize a safe and effective care. As a result, the best practices need to be adhered to including enhancing teamwork, quality care management, effective and efficient medication management, incorporating health information technology and ensuring that all the activities are patient centered (Vrjhoef, 2022). Other specific effective coordination activities are linking to community resources, laying down accountability and agreeing on responsibility, creating a proactive plan, supporting patients’ self-management objectives, communicating effectively and sharing knowledge and ensuring that follow-up and monitoring activities are conducted including responding to changes in patients’ needs.
