The Cancer care navigator
Toward a conceptual framework for a new role in oncology

Richard Doll, MSW, MSc; Maria Cristina Barroetavena, MD, PhD; Ann-Louise Ellwood, PhD; Lise Filllion, PhD; Martine E. Habra, PhD; Wolfgang Linden, PhD; Joanne Stephen, PhD

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Top-line summary
The navigator role refers to a person who helps people with cancer coordinate complex and often confusing treatment processes and protocols. The navigator focuses on helping patients identify needs and locate appropriate health and community resources in a timely fashion. The literature suggests several role behaviours related to patient navigation but has largely failed to describe a supporting conceptual framework, particularly for the psychosocial functions related to this role. This absence compromises the effectiveness and uptake of programs. To address this concern, we propose placing the behavioural roles of the navigator in the context of existing psychologic concepts, namely social support, decision-making, active coping and self-efficacy. We suggest using these concepts to systematically assess patient needs and resources. Matching navigation approaches with these known theoretical constructs allows application of proven tools to measure outcomes.

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