Patient Navigation in Oncology Nursing: An Innovative Blended Learning Model

Abstract

Nurses are ideally suited to assume professional patient navigation roles in cancer care. Continuing education and staff development are essential for nurses to implement their roles to the fullest potential. This article describes an innovative patient navigation course that was developed to meet the educational needs of nurses who work with patients who have been diagnosed with cancer or are undergoing evaluation for cancer. Adult learning principles and interactive teaching strategies facilitated learning that was relevant and applicable to all nurses. Of the 200 participants, 77.5% completed questionnaires before and after the course. The questionnaire administered after the course showed a statistically significant increase in average total confidence scores on knowledge and skills in the seven domains examined (p < .00 to .03). This change reflected improvements in overall confidence in key principles and role functions of patient navigation. The course provided an opportunity for nurses to enhance their individual practice in patient navigation in the following areas: meeting patient needs for emotional and supportive care; providing information and education; and facilitating coordination and continuity of care.