What is the primary role of a case manager in healthcare?

The primary role of a case manager in healthcare is to coordinate patient care and ensure that patients receive appropriate and timely services. This involves a multifaceted approach where the case manager acts as a liaison between patients and various healthcare providers, helping to navigate complex healthcare systems. They assess patients' needs, develop care plans, monitor progress, and facilitate access to necessary resources and services.

Effective case management aims to enhance the quality of care while managing costs by preventing unnecessary hospitalizations and ensuring that interventions are tailored to individual patient needs. This role is crucial in promoting positive health outcomes, improving patient satisfaction, and ensuring that healthcare services are efficiently utilized.

The other options involve functions that are not central to the case manager's responsibilities, such as supervising staff, administering medications, or conducting research, which fall under different professional roles within healthcare. Hence, the choice that focuses on coordinating care directly aligns with the core purpose of case management in the healthcare setting.