Survivorship navigation outcome measures

Abstract

Survivorship navigation is a relatively new concept in the field of patient navigation, but an important one. This paper highlights the essential functions of the survivorship navigator and defines core outcomes and measures for navigation in the survivorship period. Barriers to access to care experienced by patients during active cancer treatment can continue into the post-treatment period, affecting quality follow-up care for survivors. These barriers to care can be particularly acute for non-English speakers, immigrants, the uninsured, the underinsured and other vulnerable populations. The survivorship navigator can help reduce barriers and facilitate access to survivorship care and services through communication and information exchange for patients. Survivorship navigation may improve appropriate health care utilization through education and care coordination, potentially improving health outcomes and quality of life of survivors while reducing cost to the health care system. Survivorship navigators can also educate survivors on how to improve their overall wellness, thereby directly impacting the health of a growing population of cancer survivors.

Breast cancer survivorship symptom management: current perspective and future development

“…First, identification and referral of cancer survivors who are in need could be facilitated proactively by many different methods, including self-assessments administered by use of technology or navigators [114,118,122–124] . One example of a validated measure that is easy to administer in a clinical setting is the Breast Cancer Prevention Trial Scale, which assesses somatic symptoms among breast cancer survivors on hormonal therapy [125] .…”

Development of a text messaging system to improve receipt of survivorship care in adolescent and young adult survivors of childhood cancer

“…Therefore, it is critical to encourage early adoption of late effects screening practices in AYA survivors. However, in order to receive recommended care, AYA survivors face several barriers: (1) health care system barriers such as a fragmented health care system and high health care costs; (2) provider barriers such as a lack of knowledge or comfort providing care for AYA survivors; and (3) patient barriers such as a lack of knowledge of late effects and beneficial health behaviors [14–18]. In summary, these barriers to care for AYAs are unique when compared to very young childhood cancer survivors or older adult survivors due to their age-specific psychosocial and logistical barriers to care.…”

Key Considerations in Designing a Patient Navigation Program for Colorectal Cancer Screening

“…Treatment navigation provides support to patients diagnosed with cancer through their completion of treatment. More recently, the applicability of PN posttreatment has been recognized, and there are now programs that provide navigation to assist posttreatment cancer survivors in receiving survivorship services (Pratt-Chapman, Simon, Patterson, Risendal, & Patierno, 2011). Whereas some PN programs focus on a single phase in the continuum of care, others span multiple components of the cancer continuum (Wells et al, 2008).…”