A Key to Optimal Oncology Care

Oncology patient navigation is a strategy to ensure everyone has equal opportunity to receive appropriate cancer care regardless of socioeconomic status or background. Through the evolution of this professional practice, processes to help those in greatest need—the disadvantaged or the underprivileged—were originally developed and tested to improve access to screening, treatment, and support from prediagnosis through all phases of the cancer experience.

The foundational principles of patient-centered care—timeliness, efficiency, and equity—were rooted in the work of the healthcare professionals promoting oncology navigation in varied and complex healthcare systems. Ultimately, this guiding force that created a seamless system for patients in need took their knowledge and experience and applied it to all oncology patients with a personalized approach based on the specific type of cancer, stage of the disease, patient health, and age. What started out to elevate the care of a particular population was applied in evidence-based care pathways for all patients.

The patient’s needs and preferences are at the center of care decision-making. Navigation goes beyond just treating the cancer itself and includes addressing the patient’s physical, emotional, and social needs through supportive services from a diverse team of healthcare professionals that collaborate to develop the best treatment plan for each patient. The patient navigator is the guiding force promoting the timely movement of the patient through a system of care.

This bidimensional care creates tailored support with community engagement and decreases fragmentation in care system settings. With ongoing evidence on positive patient experience, clinical outcomes, and return on investment, navigation will continue to fit in with the equity value of future oncology as well as other chronic diseases.