How wonderful would a Health Navigator be?
Just imagine if we had a "navigator" to guide us from diagnosis.
https://www.findatopdoc.com/Women-s-Health/How-a-Health-Navigator-Can-Benefit-Breast-Cancer-Patients
How a Health Navigator Can Benefit Breast Cancer Patients
Getting diagnosed with breast cancer is a challenging moment in one’s life, and for the many individuals who visit their doctor a few times a year at most, a diagnosis can be overwhelmingly complicated as well. Patients can expect to take in a lot of information regarding the specific kind of breast cancer that they have, and the options available to them, all of which can take a few weeks of tests and appointments simply to get started in a treatment direction.
When is a health navigator necessary?
Some decisions are more time sensitive than others, and many people who feel strongly that it is important for them to understand all of the facts and all of their options from diagnosis to remission. No matter what the individual’s situation, and no matter how overwhelming the situation may or may not appear, advice and guidance from people familiar with breast cancer are some of the greatest tools available to patients seeking the best possible outcome.
Health navigators and breast cancer treatment
This is why many hospitals and medical centers are advertising the services of a health navigator. This person—sometimes referred to as a patient navigator or a nurse navigator—is a qualified and knowledgeable individual whose role is to ensure that you endure the least amount of hassle, and are offered the best path forward through cancer treatment. Like a GPS navigation system, health navigators alert you to what is coming up, how and when to take each turn, and can set your mind at ease in unfamiliar and often frightening territory.
Health navigators also play an important role on both sides of breast cancer treatment, allowing the patient to make the best possible decision for themselves while freeing up doctors and nurses to actively treat and spend less time consulting. They are people dedicated to being there when called upon, and their accessibility makes them invaluable in times of emergency. In the fight against breast cancer, they can be one of the greatest assets on your team, and they will be there with you every step of the way.
The role of the health navigator
Navigation programs are built around the patient, and can begin at various stages depending on the medical institution in question. Some programs begin immediately at screening in an attempt to move the patient from screening to a rapid and early diagnosis. Others will wait until the breast cancer diagnosis is concrete, and take things from there as both the patient and medical team decide on the best path forward.
Where can health navigators work?
Some health navigators function in a social worker capacity. Capital Breast Care Center is a health navigation program at the Georgetown University Medical Center in Washington D.C. focusing on impoverished women who can have a difficult time simply arriving to a screening. Tesha Coleman serves as program director for Capital Breast Care Center, and has developed a special transportation team that drives marked vans to low-income residencies, picking up women for annual mammograms. In this case, and in cases where the health navigator is involved from the very beginning, medical groups are able to focus more resources on patients who require more assistance.
Who can become a health navigator?
Because the health navigator role is a diverse and multifaceted role, there are many different types of people and industries that can perform the role. Some institutions focus on bringing in social workers, while others utilize their nurses. The Center for Cancer Health Equity at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center — Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute employs a mix of both social workers and nurses, as well as a small team of grassroots community health workers. Chastity M. Washington, program director of the Center for Cancer Health Equity, uses this mix of health navigators to tackle both community outreach and consultation at various stages of breast cancer.
Knowledge necessary for breast cancer patients
Health navigators must also be versed in administrative and logistical dilemmas that breast cancer patients face. Due to high deductible rates, many women will opt out of screening—even if they are insured. Washington says that “although many women may have insurance coverage for screening, they have these plans that they didn’t realize have really high deductibles.” In this case, Washington and other health navigators will turn towards philanthropic organizations that offer grants towards follow-up diagnostics.
Through all of these different operating roles, health navigators often maintain an overarching goal of helping patients through the fear and anxiety that comes with a cancer diagnosis. Many women believe that a breast cancer diagnosis is final, and may even reject treatment under the mistaken belief that their cancer is untreatable. In this way, a health navigator’s most critical function can be as an educator, as someone capable of teaching hope and understanding in light of a difficult situation.
Establishing a healthcare relationship
Since a health navigator can operate in a number of different fields, it is important to find one that will best suit that patient’s individual needs. Nurses who function in a health navigator capacity are better suited for actually treating the patient, and being with the patient in bedside situations. Social workers are better suited for meeting outside of the hospital, of assisting the patient in making the transition from diagnosis to treatment, and in resolving insurance and logistic issues.
For that matter, not all health navigators and health navigation programs will be based at a hospital or medical center. In some cases, it may be more beneficial to seek out health navigators in a third-party environment, where services can be received over the phone or through video conferences. Certain companies offer their services as an employee benefit, and any time a patient access the services of a registered nurse navigator, the employee’s company will cover the costs.
In all circumstances, the relationship between the patient and the health navigator often becomes one of the most trusted and beneficial relationships that a patient can have. While a majority of the research and logistic work is conducted by the health navigator, it is still up to the patient to make informed decisions about their own health and well-being. In this sense, the relationship is one of working together to address one of the more difficult circumstances that life can present.
Does everyone need a health navigator?
It is also important to note that not everyone will need or prefer the guidance of a health navigator. While all stand to benefit from the services provided, many health navigation providers understand that there are limits to the number of people and services they are able to provide. For individuals who are financially secure, educated, employed, and supported by family and friends, a health navigation program may not be necessary.
The complicated nature of the health care system means that it tends to favor those who are able to understand and navigate its channels with little to no assistance. Any disadvantage can mean the difference between receiving the proper care, or receiving any care at all. Those for whom English is a second-language, or those who do not speak or understand English are severely disadvantaged, even in the event that they have access to translators. Health navigators attempt to prevent these people from falling through the cracks, and it is these people who stand to benefit the most.
The best way to get started with a health navigation program is simply to ask. Health navigators will approach those who they feel will benefit from it the most, but they will rarely if ever turn a person down if that person expresses a desire to receive services. Having a health navigator on the team can make the entire process easier on the patient, as well as on their friends and family who will all be walking through cancer together.
References
Comments
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@sandramj - good on you for highlighting what is available further afield
http://counterpart.org.au/information/navigators/
There are navigators available here in Australia - link above to one that I use
Take care
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Wow @iserbrown I never knew there was one here. I couldn't even find a McGrath nurse on the Gold Coast. Maybe there are so few it's like trying to find a needle in a haystack?0
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Counterpart, previously known as Breacan - their card was with my Breast care pack, bra, DVD, Beacon newsletter
et cetera from my breast care nurse when I went into hospital for mastectomy. Yes there are hidden resources that we are unaware of!
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Depending on where you get your diagnosis, public hospital Cancer Unit or GP, there are very many resources that the individual is not aware of.
My diagnosis was a perfect example, found lump, saw GP mammogram, Ultrasound and biopsy at PRP, back to GP for results.
Given a copy of the biopsy results and a referral letter to the surgeon who was on holidays for over two weeks.
No information at all, Nada! Nix!
Nothing about the public system Cancer Centre nearby, nothing about the breast care nurses stationed there, or their psychologist service, nothing about BCNA, or the online support group. Nothing about the My Journey Kit, nothing about the various Central Coast support groups that meet around me, and the CanCare wellness programs, nothing about Encore.
I have had to find all this information out myself, from the ladies on here, from the various support groups I have been recommended to in the chain I had to start.
I have since been to the Public Hospital Cancer Centre and there is information about many of the services there, but if you are not diagnosed at the Breast Screen bus and referred to the Public Hospital Cancer Unit for your ultrasound and biopsy etc, you will not know about any of the services there are available.
It shouldn't work like that.0 -
As to Breast care nurse - I was fortunate that my surgeon has two that work with him and they came to visit as soon as I was admitted and gave me a run down on what was to happen, gave me the Breast care pack from BCNA (bra et cetera) and came and visited me everyday. They also followed up on me once I came home and have helped me with what I thought at times were silly questions. I did have an issue at one stage which involved being admitted to hospital for 5 days and I reluctantly rang Angela, my breast care nurse, and the first thing she said was that is what we are here for. She spoke with my surgeon, he rang me, monitored me via text and photos for 24 hours and then rang and said you're coming in, pack a bag! Angela came in to visit straight away. I'm sorry for those of you that didn't have the opportunity that I did as it is very comforting to know they are there to help if needed.1
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I didn't ever have a breast care nurse, got a pack but no bra till I got onto this site and bcna generously sent me one. I've been very disappointed at the lack of information from diagnosis. I felt they should have had s list of breast surgeons and where they operate etc. and imagine if they'd had a "navigator" there at diagnosis. After all they know before your appointment that you have cancer so along with Dr who reads the diagnosis a navigator could be there too. Oh what s difference that could have made for me anyway.1
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You are so right, @sandramj the GP knows you are coming in for the results and what they are.
there should be a standard lot of information given out with contact details of all the support groups in your area, and the government support available too.
It would not be difficult to compile this.
It makes you feel like a number, not a person. Next "you have cancer, here is a referral" next patient please!
It has undermined my confidence in my GP in treating my health problems, but on the upside it has prompted me to be much more proactive in my health care.
I ask a lot of questions, I study up first and question specialists and I keep all the paperwork.
I have been guilty of relying on the health care providers to manage my health care in the past, but not any more.
There has to be at least one upside to this nightmare.1 -
Yes, @Unicornkisses I learned that lesson in 1998 when I had a total hysterectomy with a huge cut over 12" across my abdomen to make the job easy for the gynaecologist without any pressure stockings, had an epidural for two days and oestrogen implant - and had s huge pulmonary embolism wiping out 85% of my left lung and was in ICU & hospital for 6 weeks!!! I did get a second opinion but didn't take their advice and went ahead with the "easy solution" handed over my health and suffered permanent damage. I vowed never again, but went again with the one surgeon and trusted it was the right choice. Cost a load if money snd found out since he operates in the public system and felt ripped off ever since. Not only felt ripped off financially but also got poor "service" and no provided support through the very expensive Private health care system. I don't want to hold onto the anger so I'd like to become proactive and DO something about the issues. If you're interested I'll keep you in the loop for the "proactive journey of changes".0
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I would love to be kept in the loop @sandramj.
I too am doing my bit, but on a local level, with trying to help promote the support side of cancer treatment.
We have a wonderfully proactive group in Central Coast CanCare, and they have organised an exciting range of activities and promotions for the coming year.
They are working on packs to be delivered to all the medical professionals and various other venues in the hope that they will pass on this information to anyone diagnosed with cancer in our region.
I would hope that this would be standard practise, and perhaps we will see this happen.
I am proud to be involved with such a wonderful group of people.
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Wow! @Unicornkisses That sounds awesome. I'm in the Cancer Support Sisters here on the Gold Coast and would love to hear more about your groups work. You can message me baznsan@**** if possible, PLEASE.
IM also doing my bit. I'm now a paid member of the Gold Coast Primary Health Network Advusory Council after 3 years as volunteer. I'll be doing my best to change what I can on my level. Also have a manager with Breastscreen Qld in my network now. Hoping to make a difference. Excited to hear more about your Cancare group.0
