Professional Navigation Framework: Elaboration and Validation in a Canadian Context

Abstract

With a clear definition of their role, professional navigators may be more efficient and less challenged in terms of setting priorities and making decisions while having to face demands from the health system and patients. The integrative framework could improve the effectiveness of cancer navigation programs.

Comparing Enrolees with Non-Enrolees of Cancer-Patient Navigation at End of Life

“…Cancer patients find it challenging to navigate through complex health care systems and are often lost at transitions 2 . Many lack information and access to support systems, resulting in frustration and powerlessness 3 .…”

Integration of a Nurse Navigator into the Triage Process for Patients with Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer: Creating Systematic Improvements in Patient Care

“…Although there is no universally accepted title or definition for the role, patient navigation services are often managed by nurses and are widely recognized as proactive mechanisms that help to ensure continuity of care; alleviation of psychosocial concerns (such as fear, anxiety, and feelings of isolation); facilitation of more timely access to screening programs and clinical and diagnostic services; and reduction in the delays, redundancies, and financial costs associated with fragmented health care services [1][2][3] . Nurse navigator (nn) systems have also been successfully implemented to improve the care and management of specific patient groups such as those with hiv, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease [4][5][6][7] .…”

An integrative framework to support the assessment function of Quebec’s pivot nurses in oncology

“…Finally, the Calgary model (Wright & Leahey, 2007) highlights this importance by placing enormous value on family dynamics. In other words, the assessment process seems to be built around the implementation of a nurse-patient-family therapeutic relationship in order to enhance the empowerment of the individual and their family in adapting to the illness (Fillion et al, 2006(Fillion et al, , 2012Jennings-Sanders et al, 2005;Seek & Hogle, 2007).…”

“…According to the Institute of Medicine (2008), only a structured and systematic assessment of the needs in the oncology patients' physical, psychological, social and spiritual spheres ensures the delivery of supportive care that is individualized and administered at the right time and/or of referrals to psychosocial intervention specialists. Taking inspiration from the conceptualization by Fillion et al (2012) regarding the role of PNOs, the assessment results should be used to: a) guide the clinical interventions of PNOs and other practitioners in order to enhance the patient and family's empowerment; b) improve the continuity of care among the various practitioners; and, c) help improve this population's quality of life.…”

“…In closing, while some studies focused on the role of PNOs in Quebec (Cook et al, 2013;Fillion et al, 2006Fillion et al, , 2008Fillion et al, , 2009Fillion et al, , 2010Fillion et al, , 2011Fillion et al, , 2012Hébert & Fillion, 2011;Skrutkowski et al, 2008), none of them speci cally addressed the PNOs' assessment function. This is why we recently undertook a qualitative study with some PNOs in the Québec City area by using our integrative framework (Fournier, 2011).…”