Erica Warner, A. Roland Garcia, PhD, and Harold P. Freeman, MD. Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities, National Cancer Institute, 6116 Executive Blvd, Suite 602, Rockville, MD 20852, 301-565-6777, erica.warner@hhs.gov

Introduction: Patient navigation for cancer care refers to the support and guidance offered to persons with abnormal cancer-related findings in accessing the cancer care system and overcoming any barriers to quality, standard care. Little is known about the activities performed, sources of funding, training systems, and evaluation of existing cancer patient navigator programs around the United States. Methods: A sample of 89 operating programs with complete contact information was identified. CRCHD developed a survey and administered it to programs over a period of two months in 2003. Approximately four months later, we surveyed the same programs regarding their program evaluation. Results: 51 of 89 programs responded to the initial survey. The programs surveyed varied widely in their training of navigators, services provided and mixture of professional and lay navigators employed. Most programs assess patient and family needs, educate patients, and assist with transportation, appointment scheduling and referrals. Others coordinate support groups, develop patient action plans, or coordinate translation services. Regarding evaluation, most programs were conducting some form of evaluation, usually patient satisfaction surveys. Yet, only two compared treatment outcomes of navigated patients to those of non-navigated patients. Conclusion: Patient navigator programs in the US take a variety of approaches to increasing access and improving outcomes of the cancer patients they serve. Most programs collect data on their efforts, but few have the resources to complete a comprehensive evaluation. The lack of evaluation data indicates the need for more research in the evaluation of patient navigator programs.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the poster session, participants will be able to

• Define patient navigation
• Describe the activities of a patient navigator
• Describe the distribution of cancer patient navigators across the United States
• Describe the current level of evaluation for those programs
• Explain how patient navigators can help patients and families overcome system and personal barriers to care and treatment of cancer
• List future research activities necessary for validating patient navigation as an effect method for increasing access and improving cancer patient outcomes

Keywords: Cancer, Access to Care

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.