Table 2

CMO Configurations

ThemeCMO ConfigurationEvidence (References)
Coordination and health navigationIf frequent users are directed through the health care system and are enabled to connect with clinicians and community services working in close collaboration (C), they have a better understanding of how to access and obtain relevant health care services in appropriate settings. Their knowledge and ability to navigate within the health care system and to communicate with clinicians are strengthened, and they become more engaged in their care (M). This improves their self-management skills and health status and reduces health care use and costs (O). (CMO 1)Grimmer-Somers et al, 201035; Grinberg et al, 201628; Hudon et al, 201529; Navratil-Strawn et al, 201440; Reinius et al, 201333; Roberts et al, 201530; Shah et al, 201138; Weerahandi et al, 201531
Patient and health care clinician relationshipIf case managers are able to develop trusting relationships with frequent users (C), frequent users trust them, feel safe, and develop meaningful relationships with them. This meaningful relationship motivates patients to be engaged in their care (M). In turn, their self-management skills improve, their health condition(s) stabilizes, and health care use and costs are reduced (O). (CMO 2)Crane et al, 201232; Grinberg et al, 201628; Hudon et al, 201529; Roberts et al, 201530; Weerahandi et al, 201531
If frequent users have a negative interaction with case managers, feel disrespected, discriminated against, or not connected with them (C), frequent users feel upset, dissatisfied, and frustrated with their encounter. They are unable to develop a trusting relationship with their case managers and are not willing to engage in their care (M). This limits the development of their self-management skills, does not improve their quality of life, and does not change health care use and costs (O). (CMO 3)Grinberg et al, 201628; Sledge et al, 200634
Patient and health care clinician engagementIf case managers are flexible, able to adapt, and open to change their approach by involving frequent users in their care planning (C), frequent users tend to accept the CM program, tend to understand their role in it, and are willing to engage in their care (M). This improves their self-management skills, health status, and quality of care and reduces health care use and costs (O). (CMO 4)Adam et al, 201036; Crane et al, 201232; Grimmer-Somers et al, 201035; Grinberg et al, 201628; Hudon et al, 201529; McCarty et al, 201537; Roberts et al, 201530; Weerahandi et al, 201531
If case managers are willing to be engaged and committed to the program and to take an active role in care planning (C), frequent users accept the program, perceive it to be beneficial, and become more engaged in their health care (M), which improves their self-management skills and reduces health care use (O). (CMO 5)Adam et al, 201036; Grinberg et al, 201628; Grover et al, 201044; McCarty et al, 201537; Pope et al, 200042; Skinner et al, 200943; Weerahandi et al, 201531
If frequent users are not involved in their care planning (C), they do not feel engaged and will deviate from their care plan because they do not understand it or do not agree with it (M). Consequently, they will continue to frequently and inappropriately use health care services (O). (CMO 6)Adam et al, 201036; Bodenmann et al, 201739; Pope et al, 200042
If clinicians do not follow the care plan that includes restriction of narcotics for frequent users with substance use issues (C), patients are unwilling to follow the care plan (M) and continue to frequently and inappropriately use health care services to obtain narcotics (O). (CMO 7)Grover et al, 201044; Pope et al, 200042
Patient and health care clinician supportIf a comprehensive and holistic approach addressing both medical and social issues is provided to frequent users (C), they feel their concerns are heard and their needs are taken seriously. They feel supported and satisfied with the care received and motivated to be engaged in their care (M). This improves their self-management skills and health status and reduces health care use (O). (CMO 8)Brown et al, 200541; Grimmer- Somers et al, 201035; Hudon et al, 201529; Pope et al, 200042; Shah et al, 201138
If frequent users have easy access to case managers who provide regular follow-up meetings (C), frequent users feel supported and cared for in the management of their health issues and trusted by their case managers (M). This improves their self- management skills, health status, and quality of life and reduces health care use and costs (O). (CMO 9)Crane et al, 201232; Hudon et al, 201529; Reinius et al, 201333; Roberts et al, 201530; Weerahandi et al, 201531
If clinicians who are overwhelmed by the complex needs of frequent users in an over- loaded health care system work in collaboration with an interdisciplinary team (C), they feel supported by the members of the team and satisfied with the program and are willing to engage in the CM program (M). This improves the quality of care they provide to frequent users and reduces patients’ health care use (O). (CMO 10)Adam et al, 201036; Brown et al, 200541; McCarty et al, 201537
Self-management supportIf frequent users are involved in their care planning and receive self-management support (C), they develop a greater understanding of their condition, are motivated to take an active role in their care, and feel confident in their ability to obtain medical and social resources (M). This improves their self-management skills, health status, and quality of life and reduces health care use (O). (CMO 11)Crane et al, 201232; Grimmer-Somers et al, 201035; Grinberg et al, 201628; Hudon et al, 201529; Roberts et al, 201530; Shah et al, 201138; Weerahandi et al, 201531
  • C = context; CMO = context + mechanism = outcome; M = mechanism; O = outcome.