Program Improves South West Cancer Care

Cancer Patient Navigation -- a service which supports cancer patients, their families and health professionals -- has helped improve overall cancer care in the South West area, one of the first three Nova Scotia health districts to implement it, says an evaluation released today, Jan. 23, by Cancer Care Nova Scotia.

The report says the programs in all three districts -- South West Health, Pictou County Health Authority and Guysborough Antigonish Strait Health Authority -- have been well received by health professionals and by patients and their families. It strongly recommends that Patient Navigation be implemented in all health districts throughout Nova Scotia.

"Nova Scotia's plan for better health care, Your Health Matters, is all about improving care for patients and their families," said Premier John Hamm. "All Nova Scotians should be proud of the progress made in cancer care through Patient Navigation."

Theresa Marie Underhill, chief operating officer, Cancer Care Nova Scotia, said the evaluation proves that the program is doing what it intended to do -- improve community care for Nova Scotians. "The navigators, working closely with family doctors and cancer specialists, improve access to treatment and co-ordination of care, follow-up and support services for patients and families," she said.

"Nova Scotians can be proud of the work done by Cancer Care Nova Scotia," said Health Minister Angus MacIsaac. "By investing in this program, Cancer Care Nova Scotia reinforces its commitment to helping Nova Scotians in their communities deal with cancer."

Findings outlined in the evaluation indicate:

• Patients, families, physicians and health professionals are extremely satisfied;
• Patients are more knowledgeable about their disease and are better prepared for appointments with cancer specialists, which is resulting in better, more efficient care;
• Through Patient Navigation, patients are often able to access more services in their home community;
• Patient Navigation is increasing collaboration among health professionals; and
• Cancer Care Nova Scotia leadership, district commitment and good communication are critical to the success of Patient Navigation.

The evaluation also indicates that patients had a high level of satisfaction with the navigators' ability to address the emotional impact of the disease, physical symptoms and complications, the challenges of travelling to the cancer centres in Halifax and Sydney and associated financial impacts.

"We are pleased to have been a pilot site for the Patient Navigation Project," said Cathy Blades, VP community health, South West Health. "Our patient navigator, Darolyn Walker, has worked with hundreds of patients and their families to smooth their journey from diagnosis to treatment and beyond. She has helped us establish a district cancer committee that focuses on raising awareness about cancer services. Darolyn is a welcome addition to our cancer team."

"When we were faced with my mother's cancer diagnosis, we didn't know how to deal with it," said Mary Cushing from Shelburne County. "The patient navigator, Darolyn Walker, met with us, provided a lot of really helpful information and gave us the courage and support we needed. Darolyn set us on the right track. She was great."

Dr. Mark Dorreen, medical oncologist and acting head of medical oncology, Capital Health Cancer Care Program, said patient navigators are a positive addition to the cancer team.

"Navigators prepare patients for their visits to the cancer centres and assist them with issues such as co-ordination of care, financial concerns and transportation needs. Because of the patient navigator, I'm able to concentrate on the medical aspects of treatment, which is more cost effective and a better use of my time," he said.

Based on these evaluation findings, Cancer Care Nova Scotia, will continue to work with health districts and the Department of Health to ensure that all Nova Scotians have access to Patient Navigation in the near future. As a result of preliminary findings from the evaluation, South Shore Health and Annapolis Valley Health introduced Patient Navigation in September 2003. Patient Navigation is currently available in five of nine health districts.

The evaluation was conducted by Corporate Research Associates, following a competitive bidding process. It incorporated both qualitative and quantitative research methods. Data was collected through 16 focus groups, 57 one-on-one interviews, 162 patient surveys and a review of 808 records in the patient navigation database. The evaluation was designed to objectively measure the impact of Patient Navigation.

Patient navigation is the result of extensive consultation with cancer patients, family members, health professionals, community organizations and volunteers in Nova Scotia.

Cancer Care Nova Scotia is a program of the Department of Health, created to reduce the burden of cancer on individuals, families, and the health-care system through prevention, screening, education and research.