Background and objectives: Growing evidence indicates that the nurse navigator-pivot (NN)*, is key to optimizing care processes and outcomes. However, large scale studies are needed to examine how patients exposed to NNs (as opposed to non-NN) differentially perceived their cancer care experiences. Method: Participants (N = 2,858) treated for cancer in the last six months at university-affiliated cancer centres in Montréal, Québec, completed the Ambulatory Oncology Patient Satisfaction Survey (AOPSS). Results: Cancer care experiences and satisfaction were significantly higher in the NN group (n = 2,003) for all six care domains (Ds from 3.32 to 8.95) and all four nursing functions (Ds from 5.64 to 10.39) when compared to the non-NN group (n = 855). Discussion: The NN role is significantly related to enhanced cancer care experiences and higher patient satisfaction. Future research should explore potential causal effects between NNs and care processes, as well as patient outcomes.

Contexte et objectifs : Un nombre croissant de résultats probants indique que l'infirmière pivot en oncologie (IPO)* joue un rôle de premier plan dans l'optimisation des processus et des résultats de soins. Il faudra toutefois mener des études d'envergure pour comparer les perceptions de l'expérience de soins liés au cancer des patients traités par des infirmières pivots et de ceux qui n'ont pas bénéficié de ce type de suivi. Méthodologie : Des participants (N = 2 858) traités au cours des six derniers mois dans un centre de traitement du cancer situé à Montréal, au Québec, et affilié à une université ont répondu au sondage sur la satisfaction des patients en traitement anticancéreux ambulatoire, c'est-à-dire le Ambulatory Oncology Patient Satisfaction Survey (AOPSS). Résultats : L'expérience des soins oncologiques était significativement plus positives et la satisfaction plus élevée dans le groupe suivi par une infirmière pivot (n = 2 003) pour les six domaines de soins (différences moyennes de 3,32 à 8,95) et les quatre fonctions infirmières (différences moyennes de 5,64 à 10,39), comparativement au groupe sans IPO (n = 855). Discussion : L'infirmière pivot joue un rôle important dans l'amélioration de l'expérience de soins et la satisfaction des patients. Les recherches futures devront explorer les potentielles relations de cause à effet entre les infirmières pivots, les processus de soins et les résultats des patients. * Les termes « infirmière pivot » et « infirmière navigatrice » sont synonymes.

Background: Addressing the unmet needs of individuals with cancer in a timely manner is imperative for true implementation of person-centered care. Interactive health communication (ie, people's interactions with health information technologies) and more sustainable forms of support (eg, trained volunteers), are increasingly recognized as promising means to address the many barriers to accessing cancer-related support. This pilot study is timely as it tested an accessible cancer supportive approach that included e-handouts on 25 cancer distress-related topics and supportive phone calls by trained volunteers. The study objectives were to document participants' preferences for the types of support offered, assess changes in distress pre and post, and determine the usability of the approach. Methods: Individuals with various types and stages of cancer (N = 88), diagnosed within the past 6 months were recruited from a university-affiliated cancer center in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Participants completed the Cancer Support Community Distress measure at baseline, and they were prompted to request different types of support. Participants completed a follow-up questionnaire including the distress measure one to four weeks post support provision. Results: Of the 88 participants who filled out baseline questionnaires, 68 completed the follow up measures. Of the former, 76% (n = 67) made at least one request (e-handouts/phone calls/or both). The most frequently requested e-handout addressed pain/physical discomfort (37 requests) and phone calls were requested mostly for sleep problems (8 requests). Participants who requested both support modalities reported significantly lower distress [F (3,64) = 3.52, P = .02] at follow-up compared to those who made no requests. Ninety-two percent of participants who requested e-handouts reported that other patients would benefit from these. Participants who requested phone calls agreed or strongly agreed that volunteers were knowledgeable. The usability score was excellent (mean = 85.5/100; SD = 16.36). Conclusion: Preliminary findings indicate that this supportive approach is promising. Future work would document the differential contributions of supportive modalities that compare, for instance, professional versus lay (trained) support.

Background: The PREVENTION e-platform was developed to provide accessible and evidence-based health information tailored to different Breast Cancer (BC) risk levels. The demonstration study objectives were to (1) assess the usability and perceived impact of PREVENTION on women with assigned hypothetical BC risk levels (i.e., near population, intermediate or high) and (2) explore perceptions and recommendations for e-platform improvement. Methods: Thirty women with no history of cancer were recruited through social media, commercial centers, health clinics, and community settings in Montreal, Qc, Canada. Participants accessed e-platform content tailored to their assigned hypothetical BC risk level, and then completed study e-questionnaires including the user Mobile Application Rating Scale (uMARS), an e-platform quality scale (i.e., in terms of engagement, functionality, aesthetics, and information). A subsample (n = 18) was randomly selected for an individual follow-up semi-structured interview. Results: The e-platform overall quality was high, with mean M = 4.01 (out of 5) and SD = 0.50. A total of 87% (n = 26) agreed or strongly agreed that PREVENTION increased their knowledge and awareness of BC risk, and 80% would recommend it to others while reporting likelihood of following lifestyle recommendations to decrease their BC risk. Follow up interviews indicated that participants perceived the e-platform as a trusted source of BC information and a promising means to connect with peers. They also reported that while the e-platform was easy to navigate, improvements were needed for connectivity, visuals, and the organization of scientific resources. Conclusion: Preliminary findings support PREVENTION as a promising means to provide personalized BC information and support. Efforts are underway to further refine the platform, assess its impact in larger samples and gather feedback from BC specialists.