Patient Navigators: An Ideal Role for Credentialed Medical Assistants-The Patient Navigation Model: Philosophy, Characteristics, and Effectiveness

The Patient Navigation Model: Philosophy, Characteristics, and Effectiveness

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The AAMA e-Learning Center article by Donald A. Balasa outlines the patient navigation model in healthcare, emphasizing its philosophy, roles, effectiveness, and legal framework. The patient navigation (also known as patient advocacy or care coordination) model aims to guide patients through the healthcare system, ensuring timely diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up, thereby improving health outcomes and reducing costs. Originating in oncology, the model has expanded into various medical specialties, including pediatrics and mental health.<br /><br />**Key Points:**<br />1. **Definition and Roles:**<br />   - Patient navigators assist patients in navigating the healthcare system, from screening and diagnosis to treatment and follow-up.<br />   - Tasks include communication facilitation, appointment coordination, and providing support, particularly for non-English-speaking patients.<br />   - Roles vary based on healthcare settings and specialties.<br /><br />2. **Effectiveness:**<br />   - Studies show patient navigation leads to reduced emergency visits, medication costs, inpatient charges, overall healthcare costs, and increases patient survival, confidence, and satisfaction.<br />   - Meta-analyses, like the one on cancer screening, have shown that patient navigation significantly increases screening rates.<br /><br />3. **Core Competencies:**<br />   - The George Washington University Cancer Institute has established competencies for non-clinically licensed patient navigators, focusing on patient care, knowledge, communication, professionalism, and collaboration.<br /><br />4. **Legislation:**<br />   - The Patient Navigator Outreach and Chronic Disease Prevention Act of 2005 formalized the role of patient navigators in law, providing grants for programs to improve healthcare outcomes, particularly for marginalized communities.<br /><br />5. **Employment:**<br />   - Navigators are employed in various settings, including hospitals, clinics, health organizations, and not-for-profits. Roles can be paid through insurance or volunteer-based.<br /><br />Patient navigation has proven effective in addressing barriers like financial constraints, cultural differences, and communication issues, ensuring patients receive culturally competent and timely care. The model's expansion across specialties highlights its integral role in a patient-centered healthcare approach.

Keywords

patient navigation

healthcare system

patient advocacy

care coordination

health outcomes

cost reduction

core competencies

legislation

employment

culturally competent care