Feasibility of chronic disease patient navigation in an urban primary care practice

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of incorporating chronic disease navigation using lay health care workers trained in motivational interviewing (MI) into an existing mammography navigation program. Primary-care patient navigators implemented MI-based telephone conversations around mammography, smoking, depression, and obesity. We conducted a small-scale demonstration, using mixed methods to assess patient outcomes and provider satisfaction. One hundred nine patients participated. Ninety-four percent scheduled and 73% completed a mammography appointment. Seventy-one percent agreed to schedule a primary care appointment and 54% completed that appointment. Patients and providers responded positively. Incorporating telephone-based chronic disease navigation supported by MI into existing disease-specific navigation is efficacious and acceptable to those enrolled.