The impact of social factors on healthcare inequality is well-recognized in many industrialized countries and involves a wide range of pathological conditions (cardiovascular disease, cancer, etc.). In general, the poorest indicators of health are observed in socially disadvantaged populations. Beyond this observation is the question of actions taken to prevent the formation of social inequality in healthcare. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the potential contribution of an intervention tool called the “patient navigator”, used in English-speaking countries and to determine its feasibility in France.

The impact of social factors on healthcare inequality is well-recognized in many industrialized countries and involves a wide range of pathological conditions (cardiovascular disease, cancer, etc.). In general, the poorest indicators of health are observed in socially disadvantaged populations. Beyond this observation is the question of actions taken to prevent the formation of social inequality in healthcare. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the potential contribution of an intervention tool called the "patient navigator", used in English-speaking countries and to determine its feasibility in France. (C) 2010 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.