Identity First

Episode 01: Teresa Shaw

In the debut episode of the "Identity First" podcast, host Stephanie Fleet interviews Teresa Shaw, a director at CMS UK, about the significance of identity in case management. The podcast's title was inspired by a recent CMS UK conference that centered on personal and professional identity. Teresa explains that the conference's theme addresses the changing identities of both case managers and their clients. As case management evolves into a registered profession, professionals from diverse backgrounds like nursing and social work are forming a new, unified identity. This shift allows case managers to move from the constraints of corporate environments like the NHS to a more bespoke, individualized approach. The discussion also focuses on clients who undergo a change in identity following a traumatic event. The speakers emphasize the importance of recognizing the fluidity of identity for both professionals and clients. They highlight the dangers of unconscious bias and "throwaway comments" from medical professionals, which can negatively impact a client's recovery and sense of self. Teresa shares a personal anecdote of being misdiagnosed because of a nurse's unconscious bias against her as a fellow nurse. The conversation concludes with the idea that while identity changes can be difficult, they can also be embraced as positive opportunities.