Provider perceptions’ of a patient navigator for adolescents and young adults with cancer

Purpose Healthcare providers (HCPs) and other staff at a comprehensive Cancer Center were interviewed on how to best implement a patient navigator position when working with adolescents and young adults (AYA) with cancer. Research objectives included assessing staff perceptions of (a) barriers to optimal care for AYA, (b) roles and responsibilities for a patient navigator, and (c) training needed for future patient navigators. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 staff members providing care to AYA. Verbatim transcripts were hand-coded using inductive content analysis. Results Roles and responsibilities of a patient navigator were described as needing to coordinate services, be knowledgeable of resources inside and outside the Cancer Center, provide emotional support, advocate for AYA, assist with financial and insurance issues, and serving as the first point of contact. Conclusions Staff serving AYA reported the desired roles and training they wished a patient navigator to possess. This study contributes to the literature by conducting stakeholder assessment of the goals and roles of an AYA patient navigator (PN). PN positions should be adapted to the workflow and ethos of the institution.