What is the life care planner’s role in a litigated case?
The role of the life care planner is that of educator, not advocate. A planner must maintain objectivity and base recommendations upon the medical records, clinical interview and history with the patient and family, interaction with the medical and health related professional treatment team, relevant clinical practice guidelines, relevant research literature as well as the opinions of consulting team members (physicians, therapists, etc.). The responsibility of the life care planner is to set forth attainable rehabilitation goals and to assure that all parties involved in the process understand why specific items are included, how/when services should be provided, and how the plan is best implemented. As an educator, the planner must be able to clearly communicate the nature of a patient’s disability, the residual functional limitations, and the effects of the disability throughout the patient’s life expectancy.
