Continuous Learning: The Essential Component to a Case Manager’s Success

Case Management Focus

The 79^th Annual Workers Compensation Institute wrapped up on Wednesday, Aug. 20. I attended on Monday, Aug. 18 as a visitor to the exhibit hall. Over 2000 people, including worker compensation case managers, claims adjustors, physicians, attorneys, and employers, came together in Orlando at the Marriott World Center Hotel to learn, network, and have some fun. 

There were over 160 dynamic educational sessions and over 400 expert speakers. This conference delivers the most relevant, insightful, and forward-thinking content for all involved in the workers' compensation industry.

The theme this year was: WCI Palooza – The Comp Stars Are All Here! The theme celebrated the true stars of the workers' compensation industry in the State of Florida, the dedicated professionals who serve injured workers, policyholders, clients, and communities. The exhibition hall featured more than 250 companies showcasing the latest innovations, services, and products in the field of Workers' Compensation. 

As a Workers' Compensation Case Manager, here are my takeaways from the conference: 

• Case Managers are viewed as influencers. We educate claims adjustors on the plan of care, including the progress or lack thereof that the injured worker is making, and provide ideas to help address the situation. 
• We also share information on innovations taking place in the industry that may be new or unknown to the adjustor and treatment team. 
• We provide the team with evidence-based information and data to explain how equipment, treatment, and changes in the care plan will benefit the injured worker, thereby preventing delays in care and expediting return to work.
• We educate injured workers, help set realistic expectations and goals, and work to ensure they receive what they need, when they need it, in the least restrictive setting, for the most cost-effective price. 
• The conference allowed me to meet key leaders from companies whom I can reach out to when I have challenges or need assistance in getting appointments or other issues I sometimes run into.
• Additionally, meeting representatives from various companies enables me to share my experience with their companies and discuss how the products and services I have used have benefited my patients, which is a great experience. 
• Meeting with doctors from various specialty areas is also helpful, as it allows me to share my experiences with their offices and provide any recommendations I may have to improve the process. A doctor can be a great surgeon, but if his office is inefficient, he will lose referrals. 
• Helping providers understand the challenges workers' compensation case managers face, getting appointments, reports, and time with the doctor in between appointments if an issue arises, is important to build a good relationship between the case manager and the treating physician or specialists. 
• Additionally, hearing how I can improve my practice to benefit the providers I use is also helpful. I want them to view me as a resource and a facilitator of improved communications among all parties, thereby reducing fragmentation and duplication, which in turn contributes to delays and resource waste. 
• I learn that there is a need for new case managers, as many of the current case managers are retiring. Case Management companies are struggling to find competent staff to fill openings. I shared a new program I am involved in, which offers nurses who want to leave bedside an opportunity to consider workers' compensation as they pivot in their careers. Stepping Stone Nurse Academy https://steppingstonenurseacademy.com/ provides a range of programs designed to educate nurses seeking new opportunities as they move beyond the bedside. Lori Schellenberg and I recorded a Workers' Compensation Introduction course for nurse case managers, bedside nurses. We managed care case managers, as well as other settings, to provide them with insight into the role of workers' compensation. If you know a nurse looking for a new adventure, share the Stepping Stone Academy link with them. This will help them understand the opportunities available for nurses in the workers' comp field. Here is the link https://steppingstonenurseacademy.com 
• Your professional development is key to your success, so explore the various resources to achieve your career goals. 

Resources: each of these organizations has learning and networking opportunities for workers' compensation case managers.

Case Management Society of America: The professional association for case managers in various settings. They have local and regional chapters for networking and education opportunities. www.cmsa.org. 

There is a Florida Chapter, which is a regional chapter of the Case Management Society of America. To learn more, visit The All Florida Case Management Network at https://allfloridacasemanagementnetwork.com. We have monthly CE meetings to help you maintain your nursing license and national certifications. 

International Association of Rehabilitation Professionals: This organization is in place to meet the needs of Disability Case Managers and vocational specialists. They have a local chapter in Florida. To learn more, visit https://connect.rehabpro.org/florida/home.

Florida Association of Rehabilitation Nursing: FSARN is the regional group of the American Association of Rehabilitation Nurses. To learn more, visit https://www.fsarn.org/?fbclid=IwY2xjawMZoH9leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFEWExBZEczME11b1pxeXdaAR6KmpNaIaTUtXYhWDFTFAyaX0zc2qfKY84ep_A9fpV_QotMSF0MPRDFkFKTXA_aem_yXT-fLfx2mm0_0ghKduJ9g 

Next year, the 80^th Annual Florida Workers Compensation Conference will be held Aug. 17 through Aug. 20, 2026. Here is the link to watch for the call for papers and registration: https://wci360.com/home-2  

Stepping Stone Nurse Academy: A learning library and resource center specifically for nurses who want to advance in their careers. To learn more, visit https://steppingstonenurseacademy.com/courses 

Workers Compensation.com newsletter. Subscribe to this E-Newsletter so you are up to date on news and events in the workers' compensation industry. You will receive my weekly column, Case Management Focus, which is dedicated to Workers' Compensation Case Managers. Here is a link to sign up to get the newsletter delivered to your email. 

Education takes time and attention. Plan your course of continuous learning so you stay at the top of your game! 

Have a good week!

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