Oncology Nursing and Navigation

Conference Correspondent

During the December 17 session of the Association for Value-Based Cancer Care (AVBCC) 10th Annual Summit, a panel of experts discussed the standardized measures and processes used by oncology nurse and patient navigators to improve the outcomes of care for patients with cancer. The session was moderated by Lillie Shockney, RN, BS, MAS, HON-ONN-CG, Co-Founder of the Academy of Oncology Nurse & Patient Navigators (AONN+).

Sharon Gentry, MSN, RN, HON-ONN-CG, AOCN, CBCN, Program Director of AONN+, provided a history of oncology nurse and patient navigator programs. There are now national standards that adhere to value-based care, and compelling cancer programs that are accountable for measuring quality of care delivery and cost. Ms Gentry said navigators continue to support and improve outcomes by encouraging patients to return to clinics and care sites, especially as we experience an influx of delayed screenings due to COVID-19.

Brenda Nevidjon, MSN, RN, FAAN, Chief Executive Officer of the Oncology Nursing Society, presented the challenges of navigation, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nurses are showing fatigue and burnout, and many navigators are being reassigned to direct patient care. Measuring navigation programs and the effectiveness of these roles can also be difficult for navigators. Challenges include identifying measures that are sensitive, reliable, and valid; correlating measures to specific roles; managing data; and keeping up with more than one measurement program. In the future of healthcare, Ms Nevidjon believes there will only be a minor increase in visibility for health equity, but mental health will become a more prominent discussion, and telehealth will continue to grow.

Andrea Dwyer, BS, Program Director at the Colorado Cancer Screening Program, provided an overview on the Colorado Health Navigator Registry and the National Navigation Roundtable.

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