Team-Based Oncology Care: The Pivotal Role of Oncology Navigation

This new edition affirms that effective navigation within in the framework of oncology care requires a team approach and that navigation should never be considered an “add-on” resource or service.  The complex nature of oncology care makes navigation a vital part of the care equation, important at every phase.  Throughout the continuum of care, navigators address issues related to access and barriers to care and health literacy impacting disparities in cancer care.  As a part of care plan development and implementation, navigators facilitate shared decision making providing education and advocating for timely biomarker testing, genetics and genomic education as well as clinical trial recruitment and retention. Beyond working with individual patients, navigators can add their voice to efforts that promote the provision of resources that ensure the sustainability of navigation.

The Academy of Oncology Nurse & Patient Navigators (AONN+) is the largest US specialty organization dedicated to improving patient care and quality of life by defining, enhancing, and promoting the role of oncology nurse and patient navigators. AONN organization has over 8,900 members and was founded in May 2009 to provide a network for all professionals involved and interested in patient navigation and survivorship care services to better manage the complexities of the cancer care treatment continuum for their patients. This organization is one of “professional patient advocates” and, to that end,  supports and serves AONN members.

This book highlights navigation leaders who are the experts on creating team-based programs, which removes the risk of others trying to reinvent the wheel by designing a navigation program from scratch. They also understand the role of effective navigation across the entire continuum of care and understand and are able to apply other key aspects of navigation, including clinical trial screenings and tumorboard coordination and monitoring, as well as measurement using evidence-based navigation metrics, to name but a few. It is the only book designed to educate and support anyone developing a new navigation program or wanting to improve an already created program. As such it offers a guide for cancer centers needing to develop and implement an oncology navigation program; understand and successfully meet and exceed the Commission on Cancer accreditation standards linked to navigation; expand or improve their current navigation program as well as demonstrate its value using reliable measurable results, including patient satisfaction and improved- quality clinical outcomes. 

This comprehensive book provides insights and evidenced based practices applicable to the real world of oncology care. In addition, the importance of mentorship, self -care, and professional development opportunities are discussed to strengthen the practicing navigator.