Patient engagement for shared decision making launches the Commission for Case Manager Certification's CMLearning webinar series

MOUNT LAUREL, N.J., Sept. 8, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- "Nothing about me without me" is the guiding principle of shared decision making in health care, a process that ensures the patient understands the benefits and risks before choosing a treatment option. Effectively educating and engaging the patient in shared decision making is the focus of the first in a series of webinars hosted by the Commission for Case Manager Certification® as part of its CMLearning Network®.

The webinar, Patient Engagement Strategies: Getting to 'Yes' in Patient Engagement, will feature Alaina Fournier, Ph.D., a health communications specialist in the Office of Communications and Knowledge Transfer at the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). Fournier heads a national project designed to raise awareness and understanding of methods that integrate patient-centered outcomes research in shared decision making.

According to AHRQ, shared decision making occurs when a health care provider and a patient work together to make a health care decision that is best for the patient. The optimal decision takes into account evidence-based information about available health care options, the provider's knowledge and experience, and the patient's values and preferences.

"Patient-centered health care relies on an informed and engaged patient. That's a challenge when the patient is experiencing illness or injury, or facing significant life changes on the heels of a serious diagnosis," said Patrice Sminkey, the Commission's CEO. "The body of patient-centered research that informs those conversations is expanding, and this webinar will introduce validated tools and methods to tap into research for shared decision making. Case managers are trained to work with patients to assess their needs—physical, emotional, social and financial. Skilled communicators cut through the health care jargon and cross social, cultural and literacy chasms to engage patients where they are."

The Commission will host its CMLearning Network webinar series to educate and raise awareness of current issues and solutions for case managers and others involved in coordinated, multi-disciplinary care. Routinely, more than 500 professional case managers sign up for each event to learn about topics such as care coordination, care transitions, ethical issues and regulatory changes that affect case managers.

From September 2015 through May 2016, the Commission will host five complimentary webinars to support professional development. The first webinar is set for Sept. 22, 2015, from 1 to 2 p.m. EST. While the event is free to participants, board-certified case managers may register to earn continuing education credit for a small fee.

In addition to its annual webinar series, the Commission's CMLearning Network offers issue briefs, the CareManagement journal, certification preparation workshops and the Case Management Body of Knowledge® web-based learning platform—all designed to advance workforce development, education and training of both board-certified case managers and professional case managers. To learn more, see CCMC's Workforce Development Toolkit.

In January 2016, the Commission extends the reach of the CMLearning Network to create a national call for workforce training. The organization will launch its first-ever national conference, the CCMC New World Symposium. The Symposium features an exciting line up of nationally-recognized experts presenting topics critical to case manager practice, such as the habits of highly effective teams, demonstrating case management value, flying solo as a case management entrepreneur, harnessing technology for better care, and leadership for change management. To learn more or to register, go to http://symposium.ccmcertification.org/.

About the Commission for Case Manager Certification
The Commission for Case Manager Certification (the Commission) is the first and largest nationally accredited organization that certifies more than 37,000 professional case managers. The Commission is a nonprofit, volunteer organization that oversees the process of case manager certification with its CCM^® credential. The Commission is positioned as the most active and prestigious certification organization supporting the practice of case management. For more information, visit www.ccmcertification.org, connect with the Commission on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @CCM_Cert.

SOURCE Commission for Case Manager Certification

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