Role of the Navigator

Nancy Peña, OPN-CG, Founder and Director, Navegación de Pacientes International, describes the differences in navigation in Guatemala versus the United States. Navigators face challenges with time, money, and data collection. Rowan Robinson, BN, MSN, Navigator/Quality Lead, Netcare, Ltd, South Africa, says that South African navigators encountered suspicion from patients, which led to a marketing campaign to introduce navigation.

Navigators must educate providers and patients about the role of the navigator and how it differs from other practitioners, such as social workers, says Nancy Peña, OPN-CG, Founder and Director, Navegación de Pacientes International. Rowan Robinson, BN, MSN, Navigator/Quality Lead, Netcare, Ltd, South Africa, mentions the crucial need for education across the board since navigation is a new practice in South Africa.

Nancy Peña, OPN-CG, Founder and Director, Navegación de Pacientes International, and Rowan Robinson, BN, MSN, Navigator/Quality Lead, Netcare, Ltd, South Africa, share some of their most poignant experiences from their navigation practice in the United States and in other countries.

Nancy Peña, OPN-CG, Founder and Director, Navegación de Pacientes International, and Rowan Robinson, BN, MSN, Navigator/Quality Lead, Netcare, Ltd, South Africa, express their hopes for the future of navigation in their respective countries.

Sage Bolte emphasizes how important the oncology navigator is in normalizing open and honest discussions about sexuality with their patients, and suggests ways for navigators to start the conversation and show that they care about their patients' sexual health.

Steve Pittman sees overlap in the roles of the oncology navigator and the social worker in providing psychosocial support. He believes one of the most important jobs for either oncology team member is to simply listen to the patient.

Dr Michael Roth identifies how oncology nurse and patient navigators can significantly increase AYA clinical trial enrollment.

Katherine Sharpe, SVP ACS, discusses how the navigation program should work to find the best resources for patients.

Determining the goals and the tasks of individuals within the navigation team is essential in creating a successful program, explains Katherine Sharpe, SVP, ACS.