Question

Chapter 21 – A Better Way to Present Brad’s Case

Fundamentals of Case Management Practice, skills for the human services - 5th ed by Nancy Summers

Please read the following case study and answer the questions to the best of your ability.

Case 21.1: A Better Way to Present Brad's Case

When presenting a case at a service planning conference, your case summary should be brief and address only the most pertinent details of the case. The case summary should follow the six elements outlined in your textbook. Review the following case presentation by Cameron and answer the questions that follow.

Cameron: Uh, this is Brad who is failing in school. He was referred to us by the school. His mother is a single mom, works as a custodian at the Waverly Elementary School. Dad's not in the picture. Burt is failing in school…

Deliliah: I thought his name was Brad. How old is he?

Cameron: (Shuffling papers) Oh, right. It is Brad. Got him mixed up with another kid. Oh yeah. He is 14. So anyway, he is failing in school after his friend got shot. Random. He was walking to school and it was a stray bullet, so Brad is walking alone to school these days. The teachers feel he is having trouble with the loss—maybe feels a little vulnerable himself. That's about it.

Jamal: So, what else do you know about him?

Cameron: That's about it.

Alex: What grade is he in?

Cameron: Oh yeah. He's in 8th grade. Did well up until now.

Jamal: What's your impression of this kid?

Cameron: Oh, you know. An average 14-year-old. Likes football. Goes to the Y after school until Mom gets home.

1. What information is missing from Cameron's case presentation? Considering the six elements of a case presentation, which has he omitted?

2. Do you feel Cameron spent enough time with Brad to develop a sound impression of who Brad is? What about Cameron's presentation leads you to your conclusion?

3. Do you feel Cameron spent enough time with Brad's mother to understand their home life and how she sees Cameron's difficulties? What about Cameron's presentation leads you to your conclusion? What specific questions would you have about Brad's home life?

4. Does Cameron have a good grasp of the strengths in Brad's life? What potential strengths do you see that you would want to pursue further?

5. Overall, how would you rate and describe Cameron's presentation?

Answer 1

1.Cameron has not effectively presented the case as many pertinent details were missing about the patient. Details such as past medical history, family and personal history are also not mentioned  clearly.

2.I dont think Cameron has spent enough time with Brad as he hasnt presented enough details about his present condition as in symptoms or behavioral changes which leads to downfall in his academic performance, also any difficult situation that he has faced in the past and how he dealt with it. His report did not mention Brad's feelings about the whole episode and what he is doing to overcome the traumatic experience. Also about his friends, family etc.

3. I dont think Cameron has spent enough time with Brad's mother as he has not mentioned any detail about his routine at home. Also, nothing about Brads father is known ( Is he alive or Brad's parents are divorced). Details about Brad's realtionship with his mother are also missing. I think Cameron's presentation is missing many key points about the case. It looks an incomplete case presentation to me.

4.Cameron did not have a good grasp of strengths of Brad's life. the potential strength I see is that teh kid continued going school even after this traumatic episode with his friend. That speaks alot about his strong desire to go to school inspite of feeling vulnerable. Also he is interested in football and goes to YMCA that conducts programme for youth development, social responsibilty and healthy living .

5.On a scale of ten I would rate five to Cameron's case presentation as i feel many important details about the client is missing. Also he should have had more one on one sessions with Brad to have in depth analysis about his emotional state. Also with Brad's mother who could enunciate Brad's absence in his life and how he has dealth with that. so I think a lot of work still needs to be done in order to get a holistic view of Brad's life that would help Cameron to treat Brad in an effective and better way.