One aspect navigators should consider learning is how to communicate effectively with patients, families, and the public to build trusting relationships across a broad range of socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds.
All too often cancer centers decide to hire either oncology nurse navigators or hire patient navigators. What would be best for the center and patients is a blending of both professionals. This model of having a nurse and a lay patient navigator can work very well--as long as each of these navigators function within their scope of training, skills, credentialing, and practice requirements.
It is important for navigators to take a holistic view of their patients knowing their medical history and even other variables that could affect their health, such as their sexual orientation. You may ask why sexual orientation is important, and the reasoning is that the LGBTQ is at greater risk for certain cancers. For example, did you know that lesbian and bisexual women have a greater risk for more aggressive breast cancer? Or, did you know gay men have a higher risk for anal cancer?
As you may know, we launched last year the officially certification exam for general oncology nurse navigators. And through AONN+'s partnership with the George Washington Cancer Center, the patient navigation exam was also launched at the same time. We are about to conduct the beta test for a thoracic navigation certification.
Whether your manager meets with you monthly, semi-annually, or annually to discuss your performance evaluation, you need to take it upon yourself to decide what your performance and professional goals should be beforehand.
Accurate recordkeeping is important for patient safety, quality of care, and system improvements. Grant-funded navigators use data to show the funder the impact of their work with patients.
This week, April 10-14, is National Tumor Registrars Week or National Cancer Registrars Week. A huge thank you and acknowledgement of all the work of cancer registrars that affect patient care and ways they help support the objectives of nurse navigation! Here's a major shout out to all our friends in this department!
Many cancer patients practice complementary or alternative medicine, and don’t even know it. They take extra vitamins, get acupuncture, use various herbs, etc. Though such things may seem harmless, they actually may impact the treatments they are receiving that are prescribed by their doctors.
Patients come into the healthcare system with various levels of health literacy, experience, and comfort with the professionals and systems in which they find themselves. Patient navigators work to assess the patient’s capacity to self-advocate and to make informed decisions regarding their care. Navigators also work behind the scenes with members of the health care team to educate them about each patient’s unique needs including their strengths as well as areas where they may need more assistance.
