Patient Navigation Task Analysis

Given that so many cancer programs are adopting patient navigation, the Women’s Health Unit undertook a study to assess which navigator activities improved care for patients. We observed navigators within the Patient Navigation Research Program, and found navigator tasks that provided direct patient services (navigating with patients, working with doctors on behalf of patients) improved care, while systems-focused activities (documenting in the medical record) did not. These findings can help programs establish navigator competencies to maximize the impact of patient navigation services on disparities in cancer outcomes.