At the AONN+ Annual Conference, members and leaders from Local Navigator Networks (LNNs) shared valuable insights and ideas for maximizing the impact of LNN meetings.
It has been an exciting summer and fall as new LNNs have formed to promote oncology navigation in their areas! Many are new, some have been meeting regularly for years and others are adventuring out in a new format!
The power imbalance between patients and providers cannot be overstated. As a navigator, you should assess patient understanding by assessing patients’ capacity to self-advocate, and help them optimize time with their doctors and treatment team (eg. prioritize questions, clarify information with treatment team).
Sadly, the answer to that question in the headline is likely “never.” Drug expenses are continuing to climb as newer and more sophisticated treatment options are being released for standard of care, co-payments and deductibles will continue to go up instead of down, and people cannot afford in most cases to take off from work for their cancer treatments.
