Role of Oncology Nurse Navigators: An Integrative Review

World Journal of Cancer and Oncology Research | Vol 2, Issue 1

Table 1. Characteristics of the study.

Study	Design and Data Collection	Participants and Setting	Aim and Findings	Level of Evidence	Themes
Adler, et.al (2019) Israel [29]	Retrospective Cohort StudyReview of records	1035 female breast cancer patients: 225 telemedical care (TMC) patients and 810 non-TMC patientsMaccabi Healthcare Services, Israel	Aim: To describe breast cancer patients who used telemedicine to get telephone-based ONN consultations (TMC patients) and to examine their healthcare use (HCU) one year before and after using the service Findings: Following the initial appointment, there was a considerable rise in outpatient care and prescription use.	IV	Facilitator of Timely Patient Care
Bell, et.al (2020) USA [25]	DescriptiveQuestionnaire	297 cancer patientsOhio, USA	Aim: To effectively evaluate the impact of a navigation program on cancer patients' distress and health-related quality of life.Findings: Distress Thermometer (DT) scores and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy – General (FACT-G) overall scores both significantly increased. Patients were quite satisfied with the navigation.	VI	Psychological Support
Carroll, et.al (2010) USA [10]	PhenomenologicalIndividual in-depth semi-stuctured interview	35 patients with breast or colorectal cancerNew York, USA	Aim: To investigate the impact of navigation on patients' perceptions of the effectiveness of their cancer treatment.Findings: All of these aspects of navigation- emotional support, assistance with information needs and problem-solving, and logistical coordination of cancer care- were highly valued.	VI	Patient’s Perception of Oncology Nurses
Gordils-Perez, et.al. (2017) USA [45]	Descriptive Cohort studyReview of electronic records and postimplementation surveys	gynecology group (historic N = 32, postimplementation N = 93) and hematology group (historic N = 75, postimplementation N = 89)Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey in New Brunswick	Aim: To assess how ONN affects patients with hematologic or gynecologic malignancies' access to care, their satisfaction with their care and with their providers, and their participation in clinical trials.Findings: A significant reduction in the mean number of days between the initial provider visit and the start of treatment was seen. Also, both groups' mean survey satisfaction scores were high on the care received. However, clinical trial enrollment was not increased by the navigation program.	IV	Facilitator of Timely Patient Care
Hebert and Fillion (2011A) Canada[36]	Qualitative Descriptivesemi-directed individual interviews and sociodemographic data forms	5 cancer patientsQuebec, Canada	Aim: To investigate the needs of cancer patients and the support offered by the ONN along the care trajectory.Findings: People with cancer most frequently express emotional needs than physical ones. They value the ONN’s presence throughout the care trajectory in order to satisfy their requirements, the development of a trusting relationship, and the experience of being listened to, all of which support living with the disease.	VI	Patient’s Perception of Oncology Nurses
Hebert and Fillion (2011B) Canada[32]	Qualitative DescriptiveIndividual interviews	10 oncology nurse navigatorsQuebec, Canada	Aim: To investigate the needs of cancer patients and the support offered by the ONN along the care trajectory.Findings: ONNs claimed to have provided support interventions for many kinds of requirements, particularly in the informational and practical domains, such scheduling appointments. The findings also imply that a needs analysis is a must before assistance.	VI	Oncology Nurse Navigators Perception of their Roles
Jeyathevan, et.al (2017A) Canada[33]	Qualitative DescriptiveIndividual patient interview and focus group with ONNs	4 lung cancer patients and 4 oncology nurse navigatorsCanada	Aim: To investigate how ONNs can help lung cancer patients feel more empowered during the cancer treatment's diagnostic stage.Findings: Being an advocate, support in education, individualized symptom care, and resource coordination were highlighted as ONN roles in promoting patient empowerment.	III	Patient’s Perception of Oncology Nurses/ Oncology Nurse Navigators Perception of their Roles
Jeyathevan, et.al (2017B) Canada[34]	PhenomenologicalSemi-structured interview	4 lung cancer patients and 4 oncology nurse navigatorsCanada	Aim: To investigate how ONNs aid adult patients with lung cancer in maintaining continuity of care during the diagnostic stage of cancer treatment.Findings: The identified functions of an ONN are the following: care that is patient-centered, needs evaluations, collaborative decision-making, being accessible, and removal of barriers.	VI	Patient’s Perception of Oncology Nurses/ Oncology Nurse Navigators Perception of their Roles
Lubejko, et. al (2017) USA[31]	Structured Role DelineationSurveyFace-to-face structuredInterview	118 oncology nursingsociety member(oncology nurse navigatorand staff nurse)USA	Aim: To clarify the function and assess whether an ONN is necessaryFindings: It was discovered that the ONN function is changing and that there are disparities between the ONN's duties and those of the clinical or staff nurse.	VI	Oncology Nurse Navigators Perception of their Roles
Mertz, et.al. (2017) Denmark[22]	Randomized Control TrialQuestionnaires	50 patients with breast cancer who are distressed and 66 who were not distressedCopenhagen University, Denmark	Aim: To determine if an ONN intervention is practical and effective at reducing distress, depression, anxiety and health-related quality of living in breast cancer survivors.Findings: Compared to the control group, those who had ONN reported considerably higher levels of treatment and rehabilitation satisfaction as well as reduced levels of distress, anxiety, and depression.	II	Psychological Support
Pedersen, et.al (2013) Canada[35]	Descriptive QualitativeFace-to face structured interview/ telephone interview	12 breast cancer patientsWinnipeg, Manitoba, Canada	Aim: To define the function of the ONN using the narratives and descriptions of younger breast cancer patients.Findings: The role of the ONN included two facets: “Processual facets” and “Personal qualities”.	VI	Patient’s Perception of Oncology Nurses
Rohsig, et.al (2019) Brazil[28]	Retrospective, descriptive studyReview of electronic records	263 breast cancer patientsPorto Alegre, Brazil	Aim: To discuss the outcomes of the first nurse navigation program in a breast cancer center at a private, nonprofit hospital in Porto Alegre, BrazilFindings: Time from diagnosis to the commencement of therapy decreased from 24 days in 2014 to 18 days in 2017, and 97% said they were satisfied or extremely satisfied with the treatment the ONN delivered.	VI	Facilitator of Timely Patient Care
Skrutkowski, et.al (2008) Canada [44]	Randomized Control TrialQuestionnaire and Review of health records	113 patients with lung cancer and 77 patients with breast cancer (93- intervention group; 97- control group)Quebec, Canada	Aim: To investigate the effects of nursing care continuity provided by an ONN in symptom alleviation and outcomes for patients with lung or breast cancer.Findings: There were no discernible changes in the groups' levels of symptom distress, weariness, quality of life, or use of healthcare.	II	Psychological Support
Stirling, et.al (2022) USA[27]	Descriptive cross-sectional studyreview of electronic records	1370 cancer patients receiving chemotherapySharp Healthcare, SouthernCarolina, USA	Aim: To look into how ONNs affect the amount of adult cancer patients who are admitted to hospitals and go to the ER after receiving outpatient treatment.Findings: No significant differences were found in Emergency Room visits and Hospital Admissions by ONN group.	VI	Effect on Timely Management
Swanson and Kochs (2009) USA[23]	Retrospective chart reviewFace-to-face interview	55 cancer patients: 20 women and 35 menSt. Elizabeth Regional Health Center, Midwestern, USA	Aim: To know whether nurse navigation decreases the distress of adult cancer patients.Findings: Patients that were seen by ONN have lower distress scores upon discharge.	VI	Psychological Support
Wagner, et.al. (2014) USA[21]	Randomized control trialQuestionnaire	251 participants with breast, colorectal or lung cancerWashington and Northern Idaho, USA	Aim: To know whether nurse navigation is effective in enhancing patient experience and quality of lifeFindings: Patients using nurse navigators reported much less issues with care, particularly with information, care coordination, and psychosocial care.	II	Psychological Support
Williams, et. al (2022) USA[30]	DescriptiveSurvey	96 breast cancer patients: 54 navigated, 42 non-navigatedUniversity of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center	Aim: To assess the effectiveness of the breast cancer nurse navigator program at the University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center in addressing cancer care gaps for an underrepresented, rural, and economically disadvantaged population.Findings: Patients who were navigated expressed a lower desire for an after-treatment summary compared to non-navigated patients, and they more strongly agreed that they were prepared for the start of treatment and that calls were swiftly returned.	VI	Facilitator of Timely Patient Care
Yackzan, et.al (2019) USA[24]	QuantitativeRetrospective review of oncology Press Ganey outpatient satisfaction	315 cancer patients with contact with ONN; 172 no contact with ONNLexington, Kentucky	Aim: To assess how patient satisfaction is affected by contact with an ONN.Findings: Mean scores and percentile rank comparisons in satisfaction surveys were higher in the group in contact with ONN.	III	Psychological Support