The Susan G. Komen Patient Navigation Training Program is a cornerstone resource for patient navigators seeking to enhance their skills and impact on patient-centered care.1 The program offers new navigators the training they need to enter the navigation workforce and the support of experienced navigators to deepen their skills as they sustain and advance their careers. More than just training, it’s a thriving community, a “Navigation Nation,” dedicated to professional growth and health equity.
Navigation Nation is a free, virtual training community established to address the critical need for trained navigators capable of supporting patients through the complexities of breast cancer care. The core competencies of Navigation Nation can also be applicable to other oncology or chronic disease navigation. Because shared, lived experience between navigators and those they support is such a cornerstone of Dr Harold Freeman’s original navigation model,2 Navigation Nation emphasizes improving workforce diversity and enhancing the ability of healthcare workers to navigate diverse patients equitably. This dual focus is crucial for achieving health equity and improving outcomes for all patients, regardless of their background or circumstances.
The course catalog includes over 40 trainings, including:
Komen’s Navigation Nation responds directly to the evolving needs of navigators, informed by insights from our in-house team of Komen Patient Care Center navigators and feedback from the field. This collaborative approach enables us to address training gaps, facilitate the onboarding of new navigators, and stay updated with current trends to validate that our content meets the real-time needs of navigators today. For example, recent courses on navigating people living with metastatic breast cancer and understanding recent policy changes on coverage of lymphedema supplies were developed based on feedback from our collective Navigation Nation community. Offering this program at no cost ensures that financial constraints do not hinder navigators from receiving this vital training and support.
To date, Navigation Nation has been successful in supporting the professional development needs of a diverse range of experience levels, underscoring its utility as a resource for navigators entering the workforce and for continuing education for professionals with varying levels of experience (Figure 1).
Feedback from participants highlights the effectiveness of Komen’s Navigation Nation. Survey results show that a significant majority reported noticeable improvements in their understanding of patient navigation. Most participants agreed that the courses improved their ability to effectively navigate patients through the healthcare system. The high level of satisfaction is also supported by the strong intention among participants to apply the knowledge gained in their professional roles (Figure 2).
Participants in Navigation Nation not only gain knowledge but also benefit from a strong professional network. Many have noted the important role of Navigation Nation in providing a valuable network that enhances their professional abilities. Through virtual events, coffee chats, mentorship programs, and forums within our learning portal, participants connect and create a community that supports continuous professional growth. This aspect is crucial, as patient navigators often rely on collaboration and information sharing to optimize patient outcomes effectively.
Komen’s Navigation Nation is available to navigators seeking to fulfill training requirements needed to utilize the new billing codes made available in the 2024 CMS Physician Fee Schedule for principal illness patient navigation services.3
Due to the immense promise of navigation to reduce disparities, the Biden administration’s Cancer Moonshot has prioritized “making navigation services available for every American with cancer.” To accomplish this, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently introduced billing codes for patient navigation services that have been supported by standardized training, creating an acute demand for accessible navigation training and a larger navigation workforce.
As a result, we are seeing unprecedented growth in the navigation profession, making it critical that the navigation workforce be trained to deliver high-quality services that meet professional standards and the unique needs of underserved communities. The free nature of Navigation Nation removes financial barriers to entering the profession, making advanced training accessible to a wider audience, which aids efforts to diversify and strengthen the navigation workforce.
Central to Navigation Nation’s success is its adherence to the Oncology Navigation Standards of Professional Practice.4 These standards define a patient navigator as a nonclinical professional tasked with providing personalized assistance to patients and their families affected by cancer. The practice outlined by these standards includes identifying and addressing barriers to care, facilitating access to community resources, providing evidence-based information, supporting communication between patients and healthcare providers, and making referrals to clinical providers when necessary. By adhering to these standards, Navigation Nation ensures that participants not only acquire the essential skills and competencies for effective patient navigation but also that they have a path for continued professional development that allows them to continue to deepen their proficiency in all standards.
By following established standards and aligning with the latest CMS reimbursement policies, Navigation Nation ensures that patient navigators are not only well prepared to provide essential services but also supported in their professional roles by connecting with peer professionals and providing training for professional well-being, such as boundary-setting, and other resources to prevent burnout.
Navigation Nation offers 2 distinct pathways for navigator development. The first pathway comprises a specified set of courses that fulfill the CMS training requirements for billing patient navigation services. The courses are designed to meet eligibility requirements and enhance navigators’ core competencies. Upon completion, navigators receive a certificate of completion to document their training. The second pathway provides a continuing education framework, offering navigators access to a comprehensive catalog of courses, live events, trainings, and annual summits. These pathways ensure navigators have the flexibility to tailor their learning experience, stay updated on industry standards and new information, and effectively navigate complex healthcare landscapes to better serve patients and communities.
In addition to training, onboarding, and support for new navigators, Komen’s Navigation Nation also prioritizes continuous professional development for experienced patient navigators, aiming to cultivate sustained growth and proficiency. Participants can select to engage in:
The Susan G. Komen Patient Navigation Training Program offers essential no-cost resources for both new navigators entering the workforce and experienced navigators seeking to advance their careers and enhance their impact on patient care. Through its commitment to continuing education, adherence to professional standards, and unwavering focus on health equity, Navigation Nation equips navigators with the skills, up-to-date knowledge, and robust support network needed to navigate the complexities of cancer care effectively. By prioritizing professional well-being, promoting community collaboration, and offering specialized training, our program uniquely supports navigators in preserving their effectiveness and enthusiasm.
As healthcare delivery continues to evolve, the role of patient navigators becomes increasingly indispensable in ensuring that patients receive comprehensive, coordinated, and compassionate care. By investing in the professional development of experienced navigators, Navigation Nation not only enhances individual practice but also contributes to broader efforts to improve healthcare access, equity, and outcomes for all patients.
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