Navigation

The role of the nurse navigator in helping patients through the trajectory of their journey from diagnosis to treatment to survivorship has evolved, and in many settings, the nurse navigator has become a key component of a multidisciplinary approach to cancer care.

At the 2015 Oncology Nursing Society meeting, Harold P. Freeman, MD, (pictured), Founder and President of Harold P. Freeman Patient Navigation Institute, described the establishment of the first patient navigation institute for patients with cancer in the United States.

“ONS recognized that navigation services can be delegated to trained nonprofessionals and/or volunteers, and should be supervised by nurses and social workers. Ongoing training will be needed for these volunteers. They need to learn how to talk to people with cancer,” said Jean Sellers, RN, MSN, Administrative Clinical Director, University of North Carolina Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Chapel Hill, at the 2015 Oncology Nursing Society meeting.

Standardizing oncology patient navigator role clarification can help nurses and social workers operate at the top of their license while protecting patient navigators and institutions from liability issues.

Nurses serving in the role of navigator can be instrumental in addressing the barriers of timely access to care, implementing interventions to reduce disparities, and improving overall patient satisfaction with cancer treatment. Using 10 primary studies published between 2008 and 2014, this literature review examines the effect of navigator intervention on the continuity of care and on patient satisfaction for those with cancer. The evidence provided by the quantitative and qualitative research studies utilizing a variety of tools supports the positive effect of navigator intervention on continuity of care and the satisfaction of patients during their cancer experience.

Patient navigation has become essential for the care of the oncology patient in a complex healthcare environment; however, the term “navigation” has been used loosely to describe several functions of the role of a patient liaison, social worker, or registered nurse. A navigation program was created recently for patients who were newly diagnosed with breast cancer.

It doesn’t matter if you are new at navigation or a seasoned navigator, we each need to invest in our careers.

In preparation for the new American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer (CoC) standards, OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center focused on having an oncology nurse navigation program in place to support patients by January 2014.

Patients and their families facing the diagnosis of cancer can feel lost, uncertain, overwhelmed, and fearful of the healthcare system.

Creating patient navigation and survivorship programs to deliver SCPs can be challenging. Many clinical professionals are tasked with developing programs, but they may not possess the program-planning skills that are essential for success.