Implementing the role of patient-navigator nurse at a university hospital centre.
A profile of the role and functions of an oncology patient-navigator nurse (OPN) and the preliminary phases to implementing this role within a team specializing in oncology are first presented. This is followed by a qualitative study that provides a descriptive assessment for implementing an initial OPN in the head and neck oncology area of a university hospital centre (UHC) with a supraregional model for oncology. Three groups of stakeholders (individuals with cancer and families, caregivers, network partners) were interviewed on three occasions: before, during and after implementation. The results show that this new role can be integrated within a team specializing in oncology. The beneficial effects of this role on the process of adaptation to illness, interdisciplinary work and continuity of care are described. Several recommendations are formulated, one being the importance of situating the implementation process from an organizational change perspective.
Fillion
Lise
L
Faculté des Sciences Infirmières, Universite Laval, Quebec City, QC. lise.fillion@fsi.ulaval.ca
de Serres
Marie
M
Lapointe-Goupil
Richard
R
Bairati
Isabelle
I
Gagnon
Pierre
P
Deschamps
Michèle
M
Savard
Josée
J
Meyer
François
F
Bélanger
Luc
L
Demers
Georges
G
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011792:Quebec; D013041:Specialties, Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*