title: A breast navigator program: barriers, enhancers, and nursing interventions.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  to identify barriers to and enhancers of completion of breast cancer treatment from the perspective of participants in a breast health navigator program.
  
  
  METHODS
  qualitative, using focus group methodology and telephone interview.
  
  
  METHODS
  two teaching hospital ambulatory cancer centers.
  
  
  METHODS
  women enrolled in the breast navigator program, including patients who completed (n = 13) and did not complete (n = 1) breast cancer treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  researchers used semistructured, open-ended questioning to guide the interviews and elicit identification of barriers to and enhancers of treatment. A flexible approach was used and the interviews were recorded. Content analysis was used to identify themes.
  
  
  METHODS
  perceived barriers and enhancers of breast cancer treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  the most common theme was the value of the education and information received from the navigator. Several participants saw this as the essence of the role. Assistance with managing symptoms, access to financial and community resources, and the team approach were completion enhancers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  completion of breast cancer therapy and care can be improved by recognizing the value the nurse navigator role brings to the patient experience and enhancing that role.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  the intentional presence of the oncology nurse and the nursing emphasis on culturally appropriate education and care can be seen as key competencies of the navigator. As the concept of the navigation process is expanded to other cancers, oncology nurses are particularly well positioned to advocate for the navigator role as a nursing domain.
authors.affiliation: Miriam Hospital, Providence, RI, USA. skorber@lifespan.org
authors.forename: Susan F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Korber
authors.forename: Cynthia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Padula
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gray
authors.forename: Margot
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Powell
mesh_terms: D000553:Ambulatory Care; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing* / Q000628:therapy*; D018567:Breast Neoplasms, Male / Q000451:nursing* / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D010348:Patient Care Team; D017060:Patient Satisfaction