Case managed community aged care: What is the evidence for effects on service use and costs?

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effects of case management in community aged care (CMCAC) interventions on service use and costs. Method: Five databases were searched from inception to 2011 July to include randomized control trials and comparative observational English studies. Results were summarized by using the best-evidence synthesis approach. Results: Twenty-one studies were included. Available studies supported improvements in clients' use of case management services (all of the four studies), some community services (8 of the 10) and nursing home admission and stay (around one half), delay of nursing home placement (all of the two studies), and achieving cost neutrality (8 of the 11). The ..