Patient navigators

Program basics

Provides culturally sensitive assistance and care coordination in order to guide patients through available medical, insurance, and social support systems
Usually implemented by hospitals or clinics and may be fully integrated into a primary care team
Most commonly used in cancer care, often serving low-income or disadvantaged patients
Also known as "system navigators"

Low- and moderate-income adults and families

Not available

1990-present

Increases rates of cancer screening, especially for breast cancer
Improves adherence to breast cancer screening recommendations, diagnosis follow-up, and treatment
Improves quality of life after cancer diagnosis
Increases screening rates for colorectal cancer and cervical cancer, especially when implemented in conjunction with patient education
Eliminates barriers to cancer care and can be effective for disadvantaged and minority populations, including blacks, Native Americans, Latinos, non-English speakers, and those with limited English proficiency
Decreases disparities in screening rates by improving screening among Latinos and non-English speakers
Eliminates disparities in diagnostic resolution delays based on employment, housing, and marital status

Note: This content is under review
Regularly update screening and patient tracking infrastructure, including advanced technology and new methods of screening
Facilitate conversations between health care providers and patients to generate sustainable relationships and build patient confidence
Prioritize not only initial consultation but also follow-up with patients
Train staff on a mix of community and clinic-based topics such as communication skills, screening education and guidelines, patient counseling, cultural competency, and social support as well as study protocol and human subject training
Employ community-compatible staff, with respect to language, culture, socioeconomic status, and gender
Develop a more patient-centric approach by exploring multiple options to maintain contact with patients including phone calls, text messages, home visits, video calls, based on patient needs
Partnerships with community leaders, especially in marginalized communities, can foster long-term trust and increase patient participation and can help patients feel more comfortable asking questions and sharing financial concerns