Ellen Fink-Samnick

• Doctor of Behavioral Health
• Professor (Associate) at Cummings Graduate Institute of Behavioral Health Studies

Purpose The social determinants of health are a well-established health care industry priority. Robust data associated with psychosocial circumstances for populations validate poor health outcomes. However, another domain begs for inclusion and industry attention. A mental health chasm has emerged amid a post-COVID-19 landscape fraught with escalat...

Purpose The social determinants of mental health (SDoMH) continue to exert their fierce presence around the globe. The factors known to influence health outcomes equally impact mental health. A global mental health chasm has widened courtesy of COVID-19's intersection with every psychosocial aspect of functioning, inclusive of how people are born,...

Managing stress, burnout, and vicarious trauma is a long-standing issue for the health and behavioral health workforce, including those in case management. Yet, the recent novel coronavirus pandemic has amplified routine burnout to record levels. Practitioners and patients are amid a new dynamic of collective occupational trauma (COT). In this real...

There Is an industry priority to right the societal wrongs associated wirh historical trauma and systemic racism. These long-standing realities are key drivers of wholistic health disparities. A fluid stream of outcomes mandate concordant approaches racial, ethnic, and other cultural contexts of treatment (e.g., disability, familial choice, gender...

The Ethical Case Manager: Tools & Tactics provides a practical approach that blends the ethical and legal parameters of case management practice. Didactic knowledge, innovative templates, original models, and resources are interwoven with real-life case scenarios and contemplation questions across the care continuum. This style allows case managers...

The values associated with diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives are well known to case managers. All values align with the ethical tenets of case management and its established resources of guidance, Yet, how effective is case management at applying these values within the workforce. Opportunities exist for implementation of an inclus...

One of biggest challenges facing the health care industry today is workplace violence and bullying. Sadly, this trend has increased so dramatically that The Joint Commission is tracking these trends and has instituted new requirements in 2022. This Editorial describes the trend and suggests methods to mitigate the situation.

The next generation of social workers must be educated with unique knowledge that readies them for entry into the competitive interprofessional industry, as well as potential roles as business owners, consultants, and entrepreneurs. These realities call for understanding how to identify and align professional competencies, develop a solid professio...

Case management's ethical tenets are timeless and remain a foundational pillar of case management practice. These tenets are independent of patient or situation context, even with the tremendous post/parapandemic times. Yet, the question beckons: Despite the times or their circumstances, how do health care professionals engage in ethical practice w...

Case managing end-of-life care has never been more complex. A patient’s quality of life, and the needed attention to pain and suffering, have always been of the highest importance. Events such as the opioid epidemic, the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and persistent health disparities across different populations have forced the industry to...

Professional case management's career path offers countless opportunities to pursue, from attainment of the highest levels of licensure and credentialing to education, and that terminal degree. Defining each point of the journey and individual milestones warrants keen attention to a number of areas. All of these decisions and options evolve in resp...

Purpose/objectives: PRIMARY PRACTICE SETTINGS:: Applicable to all settings across the transitions of care where case management practice occurs. Findings/conclusions: Continuing shifts in society's cultural landscape, ongoing emphasis on value versus volume, and other industry fiscal imperatives continue to evoke an evolution in end-of-life care...

: Health care teams are constructive and efficient ways to approach, assess, coordinate, plan, and facilitate the client-centric and population-based care. Some iteration of team is in place across most practice settings, comprising different professionals and specialists, from multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary, and transdisciplinary to the most...

The social determinants of health (SDoH) are at the top of every health care organization's priority list. The ability to respond to these nonclinical client needs is driving the financial sustainability, if not survivability, of facilities and programs across the globe. Although a number of traditional populations have been long identified with th...

As insurers and health organizations move toward value-based care models that incorporate population and community health, social determinants of health (SDoH) are becoming a point of focus in clinical practice. While the application of SDoHs is fairly new, the external social and economic conditions that affect a wide range of health risks and out...

: Health care teams continue to be a constructive way to approach, assess, coordinate, plan, and facilitate the care of clients and populations. Independent of practice setting, some type of team is in place, engaging different professionals and specialists. There has been considerable evolution of these teams over the years, with a heritage of ter...

My intent in writing this book is for it to serve as the essential ethical resource for health care case managers; for whatever reason you deem: • A solid reference for managing every ethical issue. • A compilation of ethical decision making tools. • Validation of the current ethical dilemmas, and how tough they present. • A teaching tool for ne...

Independent of political perspective or musical preferences, the deaths of two individuals who played a major role in history was worthy of a moment of pause. The life lessons inspired by the efforts of these icons, plus the work of motivational author Jon Acuff together serve to empower the intentional action of professional case managers in defin...

Disrespect of the health and behavioral health workforce has reached the point of no return. The industry is on heightened alert as the disruptive behaviors of bullying and lateral violence, plus escalating incidents of workforce harassment and workplace violence incidents impact every practice setting. These behaviors contribute to concerns around...

Disrespect among the health and behavioral health workforce may have reached the point of no return. The industry is on heightened alert, as the disruptive behaviors of bullying and lateral violence, plus escalating incidents of workforce harassment and workplace violence incidents, impact every practice setting. These behaviors contribute to conce...

Behavioral learning objectives: This article will: PRIMARY PRACTICE SETTINGS(S):: Applicable to health and behavioral health settings where case management is practiced. Findings/conclusions: When professional case managers use comprehensive assessments to inform their work with populations impacted by the SDH, barriers to care access can be mor...

The increasing incidence of suicide by health and behavioral health professionals has reached concerning levels. Attention must be paid to a this latest occupational hazard of the role. This articles provides a comprehensive view of this concerning issue.

A number of factors are taking a considerable toll on Case Management’s interprofessional workforce. From upticks in mass violence to workplace bullying, the professionals on the front line of care are quickly becoming the newest victims of trauma. It is vital to self protect, and engage in key strategies to promote resilience and sustainability in...

This article will: 1. Define the Social Determinants of Health (SDH) 2. Provide industry evidence on the SDH from a population health perspective 3. Discuss current socio-political drivers to impact the progression of SDH 4. Discuss career implications for the professional case management workforce Primary Practice Setting(s): Applicable to heal...

Purpose/objectives: PRIMARY PRACTICE SETTING(S):: Applicable to all health care sections where case management is practiced. Findings/conclusions: This article is the third of a 4-part series on the topic of bullying in the health care workplace. Part 3 addresses the dimensions of the bullying boss and leadership, posing major implications for p...

Over my tenure in Professional Case Management , I’ve heard one question repeatedly asked: Who makes the best case manager? Independent of when and where I hear it posed, my initial response to this question is admittedly somewhat sarcastic; fi rst comes “seriously,” accompanied by a dramatic facial expression, followed by my retort of, “We are sti...

Purpose/Objectives: The purpose of this fourth part of the COLLABORATE© article series provides an expansion and application of previously presented concepts pertaining to the COLLABORATE paradigm of professional case management practice. The model is built upon a value-driven foundation that - improves the patient's experience of health care deli...

Workplace bullying has permeated every sector of society, particularly that of health care. The disruptive behaviors associated with bullying pose dramatic consequences for practice settings driven to ensure quality driven, population-focused, patient-centered care by a committed workforce. This article will provide an overview of workplace bullyin...

Purpose/Objectives: The purpose of this fourth part of the COLLABORATE© article series provides an expansion and application of previously presented concepts pertaining to the COLLABORATE paradigm of professional case management practice. The model is built upon a value-driven foundation that: * improves the patient's experience of health care del...

In times of uncertainty and change, it is comforting and sound thinking to cling to your foundation, those core principles that practice is built on. For professional case managers, the law provides our professional structure through licensing and regulations, while ethics guides us and adds humanity to professional practice. Neither can effectivel...

The past two decades have witnessed a surge in the growth of initiatives and funding to weave physical and behavioral health care, particularly with identification of the high costs incurred by their comorbidity (AIMS, 2015a, 2015c; Fortney, et. al, 2015; Letourneau, 2015; Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, 2011; Silverstein, et.al, 2015). In response...

In Part 2 of this article series, Professional Case Management’s Ethical Quartet will focus on two constructs; Technology and Mandated Duty to Warn. These areas have greatly influenced how the case management workforce intervenes with clients, caregivers, and health care industry stakeholders as a whole. In addition, each construct has challenged c...

Most professional case managers know that nagging feeling. Something happens on the job; it feels very wrong, to the point of untenable. The clinical gut each practitioner possesses and is warned to heed screams loudly for action to be taken, but exactly what action becomes the larger issue to reconcile. One known fact exists amid the rush of emoti...

a powerful force should motivate each social worker to pave the way for change—the strength of one’s professional identity. Industry changes have an impact on practitioners across the health and behavioral health realm from new regulations to modes of reimbursement. A constant restructuring of organizations yields revised job titles, roles, and fun...

Abstract: Innovation has taken the health care industry by storm, bringing exciting opportunities for case managers. However, ethical dilemmas continue to present at every turn. Quality, patient safety, and fraud are paramount with new outcomes noting risks due to electronic health record errors and medical Identity theft. Duty to warn and dual rel...

Abstract: Health care professionals face daily disruptors that interfere with their ability to render quality patient-centered care; client and family complexity, workplace dynamics, regulatory adherence, access to care, plus evolving technology to name a few. Professional performance excellence has become the latest casualty of workplace stress. I...

Abstract: A new era of health care realities transverse the ethical tenets of Case Management practice: • Death with dignity and other revised considerations for end of life care • Quality and safety implications of workplace bullying • Mandatory reporting quandaries involving HIPAA and patient privacy vs. public safety, and • The continued dilemma...

Social Media is a powerful tool to drive case management success. It provides immediate access to the latest outcomes and resources for patients and professionals. Case managers can engage in interactive dialogues with colleagues and providers of care. Industry consensus notes social media’s value for all involved stakeholders. However, with social...

Purpose and objectives: This article: PRIMARY PRACTICE SETTINGS(S):: Applicable to all health care sectors where case management is practiced. Findings/conclusion: Few topics are more intimate and multifaceted for case managers than engaging with today's culturally diverse patient populations around end-of-life processes. The already prominent f...

Purpose and objectives: This article will discuss new regulations and professional guidance addressing bullying and workplace violence including addressing recent organizational initiatives to support the health care workforce; reviewing how professional education has historically contributed to a culture of bullying across health care; and explor...

This article focuses on the personal reflections of a social worker on 9/11/01. Employed at the hospital which provided care to those from the Pentagon, this author shares unique thoughts and perspectives from that day.

As case managers, we are bound by our professional licenses, standards of practice and codes of ethics. We are all mandatory reporters, but what is our legal and ethical duty? What are the risks and potential consequences for both reporting and failure to report? Through case scenarios, this interactive session will explore both sides of our profes...

This article: PRIMARY PRACTICE SETTINGS(S):: Applicable to all health care sectors where case management is practiced. Despite glaring improvements in how care is rendered and an enhanced focus on quality delivery of care, a glaring issue has emerged for immediate resolution: the elimination of workplace bullying and violence. The emerging regulato...

A hallmark of professional case management practice is assessment. This primary element of the case management process (Powell and Tahan, 2008) serves to set the tone for all subsequent interventions that are required on behalf of patients, clients, members and/or consumers. A case manager’s efforts can all be for nothing, without a solid comprehen...

COLLABORATE® focuses on a competency-based approach to care management. The book addresses the core qualities and fundamental elements that every clinical professional working in care coordination should embrace. Business concepts relating to leadership, project management, outcomes, and more are incorporated into an approach to case management and...

The diverse and complex nature of population health mandates that case management intervene from an interprofessional and collaborative stance. While inherent value is derived from the variety of disciplines, this advanced model unifies case management’s unique identity. Now is the time to define and adopt a competency-based model for professional...

It has been 2 years since we addressed the issues and changes in the health care system and how they, in turn, affect case managers and case management. It is also important to remember that we are all consumers as well as health care professionals, which compels us to look at these issues from both sides. With that in mind, we will update many of...

Bullying among the health care workforce has reached alarming proportions. It impacts the quality and safety of patient care, plus has far reaching ethical implications for practitioners. The journal is accessible via the free N21 app download at iTunes! View it on your iPad or iPhone; http://hudsonwhitman.com/n-21/issues/

The purpose of the third of this 3-article series is to provide context and justification for a new paradigm of case management built upon a value-driven foundation that : Applicable to all health care sectors where case management is practiced. In moving forward the one fact that rings true is there will be constant change in our industry. As the...

Case managers are faced with technology’s unparalleled evolution across the healthcare industry. The impact is felt in every environment of practice, whether through a new product, program, process or policy. What are the latest Ethical Eight which are paramount and what can case managers do to reconcile this next wave of ethical dilemmas?

The purpose of this second article of a 3-article series is to clarify the competencies for a new paradigm of case management built upon a value-driven foundation that PRIMARY PRACTICE SETTING(S):: Applicable to all health care sectors where case management is practiced. In moving forward, the one fact that rings true is that there will be a consta...

Purpose/objectives: The purpose of this first of a three-article series is to provide context and justification for a new paradigm of case management built upon a value-driven foundation that Primary practice setting(s): Applicable to all health care sectors where case management is practiced. Findings/conclusions: In moving forward, the one f...

Today’s case managers face increasingly complex ethical and legal issues. They wrestle privacy, confidentiality and quality-of-care challenges amid health-care reform legislation, HIPAA compliance and social media. To help produce optimal clinical and financial outcomes for their organizations while navigating ethical and legal boundaries, case ma...

Published in the Legal & Regulatory Column to align with Duty to Warn: The Case Manager's Role (by Lynn Muller) this article provides an updated rendering of mandated reporting. Duty to Act is not soley an obligatory end game nor does it excuse professionals from directly contacting law enforcement or other agencies. Instead, Duty to Act emphasizes...

Medical-monitoring devices, wearables, and mobile medical apps are currently being approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and millions more are in development. Although many will be important tools in achieving better health care outcomes, there are many ethical, legal, and human issues to consider.

Case managers' lives have always been stressful; with new and compounding regulations, fewer staff and personal stressors, individual health and professional work can suffer, unless something is done. This article discusses practical methods to improve resilience, thereby decreasing stress.

With the passage of healthcare reform legislation in early 2010, care coordination continues to attract national attention as an important component of service delivery to achieve quality, efficiency, and efficacy goals. Indeed, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act has elevated care coordination as an important means to serve a wide varie...

An occupational hazard presents for social work professionals time and again. We are prone to take care of others, both before and more than ourselves. This extends across health and human service professions and needs swift resolution

Our experiences color our practice lens, motivating and guiding our efforts. They define our need to renew and refocus interventions and energies. The unique nature of these efforts prompts us to validate the individuality of issues faced with clients. My respect for this principle of self-determination drives my case management practice in how I a...

There I was, 18 months ago on my case management career fast track: working 12-hour days at the hospital, squeezing in time and energy to write those first articles and presentations, serving as president of my local Case Management Society of America chapter, occasionally waving to my husband, communicating by one-word e-mails with my son at colle...

I am amazed how practice patterns vary across the spectrum of our case management profession. Many factors contribute to our varied perspectives. Ever deal with someone in a different time zone? You've been up and rolling for hours and may be on your third cup of coffee; they're just getting started and may have just had their first cup. Oh, can th...

As my husband and I took our only child away for his freshman year at college, we thought of all that we had done to prepare for that moment. Those of you who have gone through this phase and survived, my hat is off to you! Those who have not can easily find a parent with several children who would gladly switch places with you to give you opportun...

As my husband and I took our only child away for his freshman year at college, we thought of all that we had done to prepare for that moment. Those of you who have gone through this phase and survived, my hat is off to you! Those who have not can easily find a parent with several children who would gladly switch places with you to give you opportun...