Patient Navigators for Mesothelioma Patients

Who Are Patient Navigators?

Patient navigators can be oncology nurses or trained oncology social workers. They provide individualized assistance to help patients and caregivers navigate the ever-changing health care system.

The navigation process can start during pre-diagnosis and run through all phases of the cancer experience.

Patient navigation programs are a relatively new concept. Since 2015, they have been a requirement for accreditation by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer (CoC).

The CoC looks for consistent care coordination that addresses the physical, psychological and social needs of patients. Patient navigators stay in close contact with a patient’s oncologist and multidisciplinary care team.

Patient navigators help coordinate appointments, keep track of medical records and reinforce doctor-patient relationships. They can connect mesothelioma patients with a dietitian, a cancer support group or a mental health counselor.

They also can assist with end-of-life care, including hospice arrangements.

Role and Responsibilities of Patient Navigators

Patient navigators are recognized as an essential part of comprehensive cancer care. They ensure a coordinated and seamless experience for cancer patients and their families.

Responsibilities of a patient navigator may vary based on a specific program’s needs. For example, a patient navigator who works with breast cancer patients may have a stronger focus on screenings and treatment, while a navigator working with patients with terminal cancers such as mesothelioma may deal more with palliative care coordination and emotional support.

The goals of patient navigation remain the same across all roles: Improve clinical outcomes and overall patient experience.

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Patient navigators also advise patients on paying bills, arranging child care and taking sick leave from work. They act as the point person for concerns about every aspect of a patient’s care.

Transportation is an obstacle for many mesothelioma patients because of the small number of cancer centers that specialize in mesothelioma treatment. Patients often must travel across state lines or even to other parts of the country for the best care.

Patient navigators at mesothelioma treatment centers can help families find travel and lodging assistance along with funds to cover expenses.

A research study published in 2021 found that the three major factors contributing to financial hardship are the cost of cancer treatment, expanding treatment options and a longer duration for receiving treatment.

The study also noted that the changing landscape of health insurance has led to patients paying out-of-pocket for a greater portion of their medical care expenditures. Spending on cancer drugs in the United States has grown 64% from 2013 to 2018, reaching $57 billion in 2018, and the median price of cancer drugs has remained above $150,000 since 2014.

Many of these newly approved cancer drugs are oral targeted agents that are taken until evidence of disease progression resulting in high patient costs over many months or years.

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Difference Between Social Workers and Patient Navigators

Patient navigators can be social workers, but not all social workers are patient navigators.

According to the CoC, patient navigation is “provided by a professional (for example, nurse, social worker) who has documented training to provide individualized assistance to cancer patients, families, and caregivers.” A nonprofessional, or layperson, can be a patient navigator if they receive documented training.

To be accredited by the CoC, cancer centers must have a patient navigation program. Usually, patient navigators work for a particular cancer center or health care network.

Depending on the program, navigators may build partnerships with other agencies and groups. However, this is not always the case. Patient navigators are not obligated to work with other cancer centers to connect patients with out-of-network doctors or clinical trials.

Job titles often confused with patient navigator include care coordinator, case manager and patient liaison. While these roles are similar, only licensed patient navigators are trained to the CoC’s standards.

Many local and regional hospitals do not have patient navigators. Hospital social workers can offer similar services but may not have expertise in working with cancer patients.

Mesothelioma specialty cancer centers offer the best chance of working with a patient navigator who is familiar with the treatment options and challenges facing mesothelioma patients.