Patients' Perspectives on Cancer Patient Navigation: A Qualitative Study of Patients Enrolled in the Moffitt Cancer Center Patient Navigation Research Program

Patient navigation is a barrier-focused intervention aimed at reducing health disparities. This study evaluated patients' perspectives of the role of patient navigators (PNs) in providing cancer care services to patients who experienced a screening abnormality or diagnosis of breast or colorectal cancer. Thirty patients (30% Hispanic; 63% Caucasian; 17% African American; 93% female; mean age: 52 years) participating in the Moffitt Cancer Center Patient Navigation Research Program completed in-depth semi-structured interviews evaluating their experience during a cancer diagnostic or treatment process (63% breast; 37% colorectal). Using a grounded theory approach and hand coding, verbatim interview transcripts were coded for key themes. Results showed the following key themes: (1) the unique role of both family and PN in providing support; (2) PN's facilitative role in overcoming health care system barriers; (3) PN's role in providing emotional support to patient and family; (4) the role of spirituality in coping with emotional distress; and (5) patients' experience in obtaining information about healthcare. For most patients, family is the biggest source of support. Patients frequently mentioned PNs addressed health system and information barriers, like scheduling appointments and providing education about cancer diagnostic and treatment procedures. To a lesser extent, PNs provided emotional support to patients and their families; however, most patients relied on spirituality to cope with emotional distress related to diagnostic testing and cancer treatment. Results of this investigation will contribute to refinement of navigation programs and aid in developing improved selection criteria of patients most likely to benefit from navigation services.