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Boston Patient Navigation Research Program: the impact of navigation on time to diagnostic resolution after abnormal cancer screening.

ABSTRACT: There is a need for controlled studies to assess the impact of patient navigation in vulnerable cancer populations.Boston Patient Navigation Research Program conducted a quasi-experimental patient navigation intervention across six federally qualified inner-city community health centers, three assigned to a breast cancer navigation intervention and three assigned to a cervical cancer navigation intervention; each group then served as the control for the other. Eligible women had an abnormal breast or cervical cancer screening test conducted at one of the participating health centers during a baseline (2004-2005) or intervention period (2007-2008). Kaplan-Meier survival curves and proportional hazards regression examined the effect of patient navigation on time to definitive diagnosis, adjusting for covariates, clustering by clinic and differences between the baseline and intervention period.We enrolled 997 subjects in the baseline period and 3,041 subjects during the intervention period, of whom 1,497 were in the navigated arm, and 1,544 in the control arm. There was a significant decrease in time to diagnosis for subjects in the navigated group compared with controls among those with a cervical screening abnormality [aHR 1.46; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.1-1.9]; and among those with a breast cancer screening abnormality that resolved after 60 days (aHR 1.40; 95% CI, 1.1-1.9), with no differences before 60 days.This study documents a benefit of patient navigation on time to diagnosis among a racially/ethnically diverse inner city population.Patient navigation may address cancer health disparities by reducing time to diagnosis following an abnormal cancer-screening event.

SUBMITTER: Battaglia TA

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3472624 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Boston Patient Navigation Research Program: the impact of navigation on time to diagnostic resolution after abnormal cancer screening.

Battaglia Tracy A TA Bak Sharon M SM Heeren Timothy T Chen Clara A CA Kalish Richard R Tringale Stephen S Taylor James O JO Lottero Barbara B Egan A Patrick AP Thakrar Nisha N Freund Karen M KM

Cancer epidemiology, biomarkers & prevention : a publication of the American Association for Cancer Research, cosponsored by the American Society of Preventive Oncology 20121001 10

<h4>Background</h4>There is a need for controlled studies to assess the impact of patient navigation in vulnerable cancer populations.<h4>Methods</h4>Boston Patient Navigation Research Program conducted a quasi-experimental patient navigation intervention across six federally qualified inner-city community health centers, three assigned to a breast cancer navigation intervention and three assigned to a cervical cancer navigation intervention; each group then served as the control for the other. ...[more]

PMID: 23045539

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Project description:PurposeHealthcare systems contribute to disparities in breast cancer outcomes. Patient navigation is a widely cited system-based approach to improve outcomes among populations at risk for delays in care. Patient navigation programs exist in all major Boston hospitals, yet disparities in outcomes persist. The objective of this study was to conduct a baseline assessment of navigation processes at six Boston hospitals that provide breast cancer care in preparation for an implementation trial of standardized navigation across the city.MethodsWe conducted a mixed methods study in six hospitals that provide treatment to breast cancer patients in Boston. We administered a web-based survey to clinical champions (n = 7) across six sites to collect information about the structure of navigation programs. We then conducted in-person workflow assessments at each site using a semi-structured interview guide to understand site-specific implementation processes for patient navigation programs. The target population included administrators, supervisors, and patient navigators who provided breast cancer treatment-focused care.ResultsAll sites offered patient navigation services to their patients undergoing treatment for breast cancer. We identified wide heterogeneity in terms of how programs were funded/resourced, which patients were targeted for navigation, the type of services provided, and the continuity of those services relative to the patient's cancer treatment.ConclusionsThe operationalization of patient navigation varies widely across hospitals especially in relation to three core principles in patient navigation: providing patient support across the care continuum, targeting services to those patients most likely to experience delays in care, and systematically screening for and addressing patients' health-related social needs. Gaps in navigation across the care continuum present opportunities for intervention.Trial registrationClinical Trial Registration Number NCT03514433, 5/2/2018.

Project description:BackgroundLower mammography screening rates among minority and low income women contribute to increased morbidity and mortality from breast cancer.ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of a patient navigation intervention on adherence rates to biennial screening mammography among women engaged in primary care at an inner-city academic medical center.DesignQuality improvement intervention with a concurrent control group, conducted from February to November of 2008.Study subjectsAll women in a hospital-based primary care practice aged 51-70 years. Subjects were randomized at the level of their primary care provider, such that half of the patients in the practice received the intervention, while the other half received usual care.InterventionsIntervention subjects whose last mammogram was >18 months prior received a combination of telephone calls and reminder letters from patient navigators trained to identify barriers to care. Navigators were integrated into primary care teams and interacted directly with patients, providers, and radiology to coordinate care. Navigators utilized an electronic report to track subjects. Adherence rates to biennial mammography were assessed in intervention and control groups at baseline and post-intervention.Key resultsA total of 3,895 women were randomized to intervention (n = 1,817) and control (n = 2,078) groups. Mean age was 60, 71% were racial/ethnic minorities, 23% were non-English speaking, and 63% had public or no health insurance. At baseline, there was no difference in mammography adherence between the control and intervention groups (78%, respectively, p = 0.55). After the 9-month intervention, mammogram adherence was higher in the intervention group compared with the control group (87% vs. 76%, respectively, p < 0.001). Except among Hispanic women who demonstrated high rates in both the intervention and control groups (85% and 83%, respectively), all racial/ethnic and insurance groups demonstrated higher adherence in the intervention group.ConclusionsPatient navigation improves biennial mammography rates for inner city, low income, minority populations.

Dataset Information

Boston Patient Navigation Research Program: the impact of navigation on time to diagnostic resolution after abnormal cancer screening.

Publications

Boston Patient Navigation Research Program: the impact of navigation on time to diagnostic resolution after abnormal cancer screening.

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