A Guide to Implementing Best Practices in Person ... - cancerview.ca

Navigation: A Guide to Implementing Person-Centred Care September 2012Appendix A: Navigation Grid (Cancer Journey Action Group, 2010)General Definition of FunctionNavigation is a proactive, intentional process of collaborating with a person and his or her family to provide guidance as they negotiate the maze oftreatments, services and potential barriers throughout the cancer journey.Vision for Cancer Patient NavigationCancer Patient Navigation is part of an integrated system of cancer service delivery. Navigators work with the patient and family and their interdisciplinaryteam to assess needs, provide supportive care, answer questions, identify and address any barriers to quality care, and facilitate access to neededresources and services. Navigation aims to improve both coordination in services and continuity throughout cancer care, as well as quality of life for thepatient and family throughout the cancer journey.Overarching Goal of Navigation ProgramsNavigation programs aim to improve a person’s cancer journey by:• increasing capacity for knowledge and support• increasing capacity to meet identified needs• reducing anxiety• overcoming barriers and increasing capacity to access clinical and psychosocial services• improving coordination among individual services at various points and ensuring continuity across all servicesRole Descriptions Professional Navigator Peer/Lay NavigatorCharacteristics• is a health professional with specialized knowledge ofoncology• is part of an interprofessional team;provides an effective clinical function• performs formal, standardized clinical assessmentand intervention• provides person-centred care; ensures care team isaware of need for and meaning of a person-centredapproach• creates and follows a care plan at certain points orthroughout cancer journey in consultation with teamand person/family• is familiar with and collaborates with peer/laynavigators where applicable• engages in a pro-active, intentional process• coordinates care and services• actively monitors care at certain points or throughoutcancer journey• is a trained peer/lay person, sometimes paid• is often a person with a cancer experience• provides person-centred care• provides general information about cancerjourney• focuses on support, empowerment and selfcarefor patient• is familiar with and collaborates with professionalnavigators where applicable• engages in a proactive, intentional process• acts in response to concerns identified bypatient and family within scope of role• provides links or facilitates referrals tocommunity agencies and service providers• may facilitate referrals to health careprofessionals as needed and within scope of role• provides emotional support and/or sharespersonal experience within role guidelines59