162466 Design and Implementation of Evaluation of the Patient Navigation Research Program (PNRP)

Monday, November 5, 2007: 9:10 AM

Amanda Greene, PHD, MPH, FNP, RN , Office of Science Policy & Public Liaison, National Institute of Nursing Research, Bethesda, MD
Paul A. Young, MBA, MPH , NOVA Research Company, Bethesda, MD
Emmanuel A. Taylor, MSc, DrPH , National Cancer Institute (NCI), Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities (CRCHD), Rockville, MD
Kenneth C. Chu, PhD , Research Branch, Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD
A. Roland Garcia, PhD , Research Branch, Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD
        
This presentation describes how program evaluation plans were developed in conjunction with initiation of NCI's PNRP. The purpose of PNRP is to develop and test navigation interventions that reduce and/or eliminate barriers to timely delivery of cancer diagnosis and treatment services and improve patient satisfaction with care in populations experiencing cancer health disparities. Patient navigation refers to support and guidance offered to persons with abnormal cancer screening tests or diagnosis in accessing the cancer care system and overcoming barriers to quality, standard care. Navigation interventions help patients cross the chasm between their individual needs and the health care delivery system. These systems often include a bewildering array of community- and hospital-based facilities where patients interact with multiple care providers. PNRP is the first large-scale study to test the effectiveness of cancer patient navigation. Anticipated enrollment is over 30,000 patients (cases and controls). Under this 5-year U01 cooperative agreement, nine sites were funded in October 2005. From the beginning of this intervention study, the evaluation team worked with PNRP PIs, their staff, and NCI staff to tailor the evaluation design to meet stakeholder needs. PNRP evaluation plans involve a systematic approach starting with clear delineation of and linkages between program goals/objectives, research questions, data elements, and feasible data collection methods. The resulting mixed-method design incorporates both process and outcome evaluation components. This presentation will focus on challenges and successes in planning and implementing program evaluation of this multi-site program.

Learning Objectives:
1. Identify steps used to plan evaluation of PNRP; 2. Discuss how PNRP goals and objectives were linked to evaluation questions, data requirements and elements, and collection and analysis methods; 3. Describe common challenges in planning and implementing an evaluation of a multi site research program.

Keywords: Cancer, Evaluation

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? Yes

Name of Organization Clinical/Research Area Type of relationship
NOVA Research Company Program Evaluation Employment (includes retainer)

Any company-sponsored training? No
 Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission? Yes
Have you received salary support, retainer, or other monies to support your position as part of the research/clinical trials? Yes
 Have you served as the Principal Investigator) for the research/clinical trials? No
 Have the results of your research/clinical trials been published? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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