BACKGROUND
The role of Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) has expanded to encompass various facets, including direct patient care, administrative duties, and coordination of care. As healthcare systems evolve and patient-centered care becomes a priority, APPs are increasingly taking on responsibilities related to the seamless coordination and management of patients, which can often lead to burnout.
METHODS
The collaboration between Advanced Practice Providers and Oncology Nurse Navigators provides efficient, coordinated, and patient-centered healthcare approach, ultimately resulting in improved quality of care and patient satisfaction. Having a dedicated Oncology Nurse Navigator can significantly offload administrative tasks from Advanced Practice Providers and enhance the overall efficiency and effectiveness of oncology care. The Oncology Nurse Navigator plays a critical role in guiding and supporting patients throughout their cancer journey, allowing APPs to focus more on the clinical aspects of care. Oncology Nurse Navigators have been shown to decrease the time from diagnosis to treatment as well as improve patient satisfaction.
RESULTS
An online questionnaire was sent to patients at a single institution with a diagnosis of pancreas adenocarcinoma who received treatment and completed the nurse navigator program. REDCap was utilized for patients to rate their experience and satisfaction with the program and provide feedback for improvement. Of patients surveyed, 80.8% were very satisfied with their overall experience with the navigator, 79.2% said the navigator improved their overall care at MDACC, and 84.4% would recommend the service.
CONCLUSION
Nurse navigation has demonstrated its effectiveness in improving the timeliness and quality of care, as well as boosting patient satisfaction. The collaboration between Advanced Practice Providers and Oncology Nurse Navigators in oncology care is vital for optimizing patient care, treatment plans, and outcomes. Their joint efforts ensure a patient-centric approach, efficient communication, and coordinated care, ultimately expediting the oncology care process and improving the overall quality of care for individuals facing cancer. In the future, we plan to analyze provider satisfaction with the nurse navigator role to improve the quality of care on an institutional level.
