CMSA Today - Issue 4, 2021

damages of the COVID-19 pandemic: when basic needs challenge mental health care. International Journal of Public Health, 65 (6), 717 – 718. https:// doi.org/10.1007/s00038-020-01426-y Fang, D., Keyt, J., McFadden, T. (2020). AACN special survey on vacant faculty positions for academic year 2020-2021. Retrieved from: Research & Data Center ( https://www.aacnnursing.org/News-Information/ Research-Data ) Haas, S., Swan, B., & Jessie, A. (2020). The impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the global nursing work force. Nursing Economic$, 38 (5), 231-6. Lovri ć , R., Far č i ć , N., Mikši ć , Š., & V č ev, A. (2020). Studying during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative induc tive content analysis of nursing students’ perceptions and experiences. Education Sciences, 10 (7), 188-206. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci10070188 Rooksby, M., Furuhashi, T., & McLeod, H. (2020). Hikikomori: a hidden mental health need following the COVID-19 pandemic. World Psychiatry, 19 (3), 399 – 400. https://doi.org/10.1002/wps.20804 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2021). Occupational out look handbook. Registered nurses. Retrieved from: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered nurses.htm#tab-6 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2021). Occupational outlook handbook. Social workers. Retrieved from: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social service/social-workers.htm#tab-6

HOW CAN WE RESPOND? The easiest option is to do nothing. I would argue that this is the wrong response for a healthcare sector demanding more case managers to meet the needs. A “do nothing” approach allows the market to develop a solu tion and takes away professional case manag ers’ ability to lead change and innovation. Nurses have long been told that it is impor tant to work at the top of their license. Isn’t this the perfect time to consider how case managers might accomplish this? A number of healthcare organizations are incorporat ing unlicensed case management associates to assist with the referral process, acquisi tion of personal care equipment and home oxygen services and arrange transportation for clients. Medical homes and community outreach programs are also considering how they can ramp up to meet vulnerable popula tions’ mental health needs. As a profession, this may be the time to consider the devel opment of certification programs for case management associates. When confronted with change, we need to consider how to find ways of improving agility, capability and capacity. The develop ment of training and certification programs for case management associates will help us meet the needs of our next crisis – men tal healthcare. Delivery of value-based and aligned mental health services will continue to create increasing demand for care manage ment services. ■ REFERENCES American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). (2020). AACN research brief: Employment of new nurse graduates and employer preferences for bacca laureate-prepared nurses. Retrieved from: 2020 Data on Employment of New Nurse Graduates and Employer Preferences for Baccalaureate-Prepared Nurses ( https://www.aacnnursing.org/News-Information/ Research-Data-Center/Employment/2020 ) Cénat, J., Dalexis, R., Kokou-Kpolou, C., Mukunzi, J., & Rousseau, C. (2020). Social inequalities and collateral

family’s low income.” Undoubtedly, these stressors will result in lower than expected nursing graduation rates.

IMPACT OF TECHNOLOGY ON DEMAND

Telemedicine applications have been expanded in most healthcare delivery systems. The pandemic has resulted in an acceleration of the digital revolution within healthcare. Unfortunately, the use of tech nology has created a greater divide in care delivery to vulnerable populations who have limited access and/or limited knowledge on how to use the technology. Long-term care’s technology infrastructure continues to be problematic and has left gaps in imple menting technological solutions. Case management telecommuting and expanded voice and video communica tion with inpatients have exploded within our work. Will these changes continue, or will we go back to the way we were doing things previously? Will meeting expectations change from video conferencing back to face-to-face in-person meetings? The pandemic has resulted in signifi cant isolation and withdrawal as never seen before (Rooksby et al., 2020). Unemployment and virtual learning have reduced access to mental health and sup port services. Escalation of social deter minant inequities has caused a significant pent-up demand and flashpoint for the United States (Cenat et al., 2020). The pandemic has created a reaction similar to burning rocket fuel. Other non-healthcare sectors, like criminal justice and immigration services, may also have a significant impact on the demand for social workers, mental health workers and case managers. IMPACT OF MENTAL HEALTH ON DEMAND

Charles White, EdD, MBA, has more than 25 years of healthcare leadership, governance and systems improvement experience. He holds a bachelor’s in

hospital administration and planning from the University of New Hampshire, a master’s in business administration and planning from Southern University of New Hampshire and a doctorate in education from Capella University. Dr. White has a passion for engaging stakeholders in innovative change, operational results and hardwiring system change to improve the delivery of patient care to vulnerable and at-risk populations. He is faculty in the Department of Public Health at California State University Fullerton.

STILLFX/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

11

CMSA TODAY

Issue 4 • 2021