WCLC 2025 - Posters & ePosters-P1.17.35 Patient Navigation and the Opportunity to Improve Experiences and Outcomes of Lung Cancer Care

Pdf Summary

This report, presented by Jessica Hooper, Helena Wilcox, and Eleanor Wheeler for the Lung Cancer Policy Network, highlights the crucial role of patient navigation in improving lung cancer care experiences and outcomes. Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide, necessitating comprehensive, coordinated healthcare services. Patient navigators serve as guides throughout the care continuum—screening, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up—by identifying and addressing individual patient needs, reducing barriers to timely care, educating communities, and linking patients with appropriate services.<br /><br />Despite its potential to enhance access, quality, and equity in lung cancer care, patient navigation remains underutilized. The report emphasizes the need for further research to define navigator roles in specific health systems, enabling effective program implementation and cost efficiencies. To support healthcare leaders, the report offers the first set of recommendations for establishing and optimizing formal patient navigation programs.<br /><br />The report includes four case studies demonstrating successful navigation initiatives: a nurse-led program in Nova Scotia (Canada), the GO2 Lung Cancer program with trained navigators in the US, Lung Cancer Nurse Specialists providing integrated support in Victoria (Australia), and the UK’s Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation offering remote navigation and emotional support.<br /><br />Key pillars for effective lung cancer patient navigation are: (1) addressing individual patient barriers; (2) community education and engagement; (3) connecting people to healthcare services; and (4) leveraging digital tools and technologies. The report calls for strategic implementation and optimization of navigation programs by health system decision-makers to enhance care quality, efficiency, and equity. It draws on extensive literature review, expert interviews (including patient navigators), and consensus among stakeholders to inform its findings.<br /><br />Overall, patient navigation is positioned as an essential, yet underexploited, component in lung cancer care that can improve patient experiences, facilitate integrated multidisciplinary care, and help reduce disparities globally.

Asset Subtitle

Jessica Hooper

Meta Tag

Speaker Jessica Hooper

Topic Global Health, Health Services, and Health Economics

Keywords

lung cancer

patient navigation

healthcare coordination

cancer care equity

navigator roles

program implementation

case studies

community education

digital health tools

multidisciplinary care