How to Manage the Impact of Vicarious Trauma in Case Management Teams
As case managers, you are at the centre of clients’ recovery journeys following serious injury, trauma, or complex medical events. You work closely with individuals and families at their most vulnerable, navigating systems that don’t always work smoothly and coordinating multi-disciplinary teams under pressure. While this work is deeply meaningful, it can also take a toll—especially when you’re regularly exposed to clients’ traumatic stories, suffering, and high-stakes challenges.
Spotting the Signs: Is Birth Trauma a Factor in Your Client’s Presentation?
Recognising birth trauma is not always straightforward. Clients may not use the term "trauma," and its effects can present as anxiety, low mood, or even physical symptoms. For professionals in health, legal, and rehabilitation roles, knowing what to look for is crucial to providing appropriate support.
The Lasting Impact of Birth Trauma in the MDT: Why Psychological Insight Matters
Birth trauma can have far-reaching psychological and systemic effects—not only for the birthing parent and their family, but also across the multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) involved in their care and ongoing support. Despite increasing awareness, birth trauma remains a frequently misunderstood and under-addressed issue within clinical, legal, and rehabilitation contexts. Understanding its ripple effects is essential for all professionals in the MDT.
Navigating Conflicting Systems Without Compromising Client Care
Clients living with serious injury or complex needs often find themselves caught between systems — healthcare, legal, education, housing, financial support — each with its own rules, pace, and priorities. Case Managers play a vital role in navigating these systems to ensure they serve, rather than sideline, the client. The challenge? Ensuring that conflicting processes and bureaucratic delays don’t compromise the client’s wellbeing, autonomy, or access to care.
What to do when communication breaks down in the MDT
Communication challenges in multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) are inevitable — but manageable. This article explores the most common reasons why communication breaks down and offers practical strategies for restoring collaboration, clarity, and trust. Whether it's unclear roles, information silos, or conflicting priorities, case managers can take the lead in navigating breakdowns and keeping the client at the centre of care.
Fostering Collaboration and Managing Conflict in the MDT
Multidisciplinary Teams (MDTs) are essential to delivering high-quality, holistic care. However, with multiple professionals bringing different expertise, values, and working styles to the table, conflict is often an inevitable part of the process. Case managers play a crucial role in fostering collaboration and ensuring that conflict is managed constructively, so it doesn't derail progress or compromise the care provided to clients.
