STAT News recently published an article in response to the recent Executive Order removing federally backed Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, resulting in the removal of certain materials related to clinical trial diversity from the FDA website. Items no longer available include the National Institute of Health’s (NIH) Sexual & Gender Minority Research Office, the NIH Sexual & Gender Minority Health Scientific Research Group, and the Office of Research of Women’s Health web pages, among others.
The Academy of Oncology Nurse and Patient Navigators (AONN+) remains committed to supporting oncology navigators in their essential role of educating, empowering, and guiding patients through their cancer journey. Overcoming barriers to care, especially for patients in underserved areas, is a fundamental aspect of patient navigation. Our mission is to advance the role of patient navigation in cancer care across the care continuum by fostering a network for collaboration, leadership, and development of best practices for the improvement of patient access to care, evidence-based cancer treatment, and quality of life. AONN+ is dedicated to fostering effective navigation that ensures patient-focused, high-quality cancer care coordination from prediagnosis through survivorship/end-of-life. We are here to support our members, their patients, and the navigation community through these changing times.
Navigators are encouraged to continue leveraging the information and resources found in our Oncology Navigation Standards of Professional Practice, specifically:
- Standard 4: Cultural and Linguistic Humility - Oncology navigators practice in a manner that is culturally and linguistically humble and inclusive
- Standard 16: Advocacy - Oncology navigators advocate with and on behalf of patients, survivors, families, and caregivers to address their needs and goals (this is the one with reference to clinical trials)
- Standard 12: Treatment, Care Planning, and Intervention - Oncology navigators provide support and information to patients and caregivers to navigate through all phases of active cancer treatment
The healthcare landscape is constantly shifting. AONN+ encourages its members to continue leveraging the strength of the navigation community we have created and the resources available through our organization to ensure that every patient receives the guidance and support they both need and deserve.
