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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Sarah Oo, MSW, Community Health Team, MGH Chelsea HealthCare Center, 151 Everett Ave, Chelsea, MA 02150, 617-887-4305, soo@partners.org and Kristen Mason, MA, Community Benefits, Partners HealthCare, Renaissance Park, Suite 980, 1135 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02120.

Background: MGH Chelsea and the MGH Cancer Center are working to reduce health disparities and increase access to care for underserved women with breast and cervical health problems. Patient navigator programs were created to address the barriers that keep patients from following up on abnormal findings. Program Description: With the understanding that cultural and linguistic barriers are a major reason why Latina women do not follow up with diagnostic care, the cancer navigators are bilingual, bicultural outreach workers based at MGH-Chelsea. They remind patients of upcoming appointments; accompany patients to appointments; monitor patient compliance; provide emotional support; address barriers to care (child care, transportation, etc.) and coordinate care with hospital staff. The programs also include weekly breast and cervical diagnostic clinics at MGH. Patient navigators meet regularly with hospital staff to ensure a smooth transition for patients between the community and hospital. Methods: The navigators use a database to track patient interactions and document information needed for program evaluation. Measures include: time to first appointment and percent of patients who return for a screening mammogram after being assisted by a navigator. The program also measures patient and provider satisfaction. Findings: Patients and providers are very satisfied with the programs. No-show rates at the hospital clinics have improved significantly. Since May 2001, the Avon Breast Care Program has served 420 patients, including 41 diagnosed patients. Since September 2004, the Cervical Cancer Program has served 122 adult and adolescent patients.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to

• Describe the role of community-based outreach workers assisting underserved patients to access follow-up care at a hospital.
• Understand how patient navigation programs help to reduce disparities in health care.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered