Patient navigation for underrepresented women: An evidence-based approach to breast and cervical cancer screening in suburban Chicago

Background: Within the context of a community based participatory research (CBPR) framework, the DuPage Navigation Collaborative built a multidisciplinary patient navigation project partnering with award- winning community-based coalition of community based and government funded organizations dedicated to providing health care to uninsured residents of a large suburban county in the Chicago metropolitan area. The current program is focused on follow-up of abnormal breast and cervical cancer screening tests for underrepresented women. Methods: Utilizing patient navigation methodology and practice, 600 women will be interviewed and navigated upon receiving an abnormal breast and/or cervical cancer screening test. Interviews will be thematically coded to analyze emerging themes amongst women in the study. Data analysis will track the date of abnormality through the point of diagnostic resolution measuring whether patient navigation contributed to more efficient dealings with the healthcare system. Results/Anticipated Results: The project will reflect the solid construction and utilization of a successful community development tool: a health safety net to prevent and eliminate growing health disparities in a suburban community setting. Patient Navigation will serve as a community resource that can be a model for caring for the growing population of un- and under-insured, medically underserved.