Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/1442007
O t her p os sible v a lue s of pat ient navigation include increased clinical trial participation and downstream revenue as well as decreases in oncology treat- ment times. WHAT NEEDS IMPROVEMENT To improve future progra ms, Gentr y suggests clea rly def ining the role of patient navigators. "The navigator should have a clear scope of practice that disting uishes his or her responsibilities from those of other providers," Gentry says. "This clarification should be from the profes- sion's membership, not imposed by an outside regulator." S e v e r a l k e y p a t i e n t n a v i g a t i o n orga nizations, collectively ca lled the Professiona l Oncolog y Navigation Task Force, a re dra f ting a document to pro- vide clinica l oncolog y navigators a nd patient nav igators w ith cla rif ication rega rd i n g t he s t a nd a rd s of profe s - siona l practice. Cla rif ication is a step t ow a rd recog n it ion a s a l a bor c ode a nd can structure insurance coverage of the service. To supplement these efforts, healthcare systems could ensure their navigators are holding themselves accountable to evidence-based metrics, staying active in professional development, and having a navigation manager to tailor processes and programs that allow for optimal patient care. Also, moving out of the COVID-19 pa ndemic, future pla nning will help mobilize the patient navigator workforce to address national crises. Organizations could train navigators in ways to stay connected during a crisis, for instance. THE FUTURE OF PATIENT NAVIGATION COVID-19 negatively affected patient navigation, as financial support for naviga- tion programs was stopped and many navigators were furloughed. While it may be difficult to reassemble navigation teams af ter cutbacks, the pandemic also reaffirmed the value of navigation and its role in the future of patient care: + Navigators with skills in community engagement gained trust of vulnerable communities during COVID-19 and addressed needs in the community. + T h e p a n d e m i c c a u s e d d e l a y s i n screen i n g a nd even t reat ment for people w it h ca ncer, wh ich mea n s a n sig nif ica nt inf lux of new patients i n t he c om i n g mont h s . O nc olog y n a v i g a t o r s a n d s o c i a l w o r k e r s w i l l b e e s s e nt i a l t o m a n a ge t h e patient volume. + Na v i g a t ion pr o v e d t o b e a c or e , evidence-based strateg y to address health inequities in communities. "A s medicine, especia l ly oncolog y, has grown more complex over time, the need for navigators has grown with it," Gentr y says. " Patient nav igation w i ll continue to foster a positive working at mosphere, one of mut ua l respect , d i g n it y, d iver sit y, et h ica l i nt eg r it y a nd trust." n M D N E W S . C O M /// M D N E W S L O N G I S L A N D ■ 2 0 21 2 5