Patient navigators: Mapping the route toward accessibility in health care

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Health Services
• Health Equity
• Mental Health Services

Background:

• Children and youth with developmental and mental health conditions face significant barriers accessing necessary clinical and social services.
• Vulnerable populations, including newcomers and those in poverty, experience even greater disadvantages in service access.
• Existing healthcare and social service systems are complex and increasingly restricted, exacerbating access issues.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the potential of patient navigator programs in improving access to care for pediatric populations.
• To highlight the role of patient navigators in bridging the gap between patients and essential services.
• To advocate for the implementation and rigorous evaluation of patient navigator programs.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of existing pediatric-focused patient navigator programs.
• Analysis of the potential benefits and challenges of patient navigator models.
• Discussion of policy implications for healthcare providers and policymakers.

Main Results:

• Patient navigator programs show promise in facilitating connections to social services and advocating for clinical care.
• These programs can support family coping mechanisms and improve patient engagement.
• Despite limited existing literature, the potential for improved short and long-term health outcomes is significant.

Conclusions:

• Patient navigator programs offer a viable solution to enhance the accessibility of complex clinical and social services for children and youth.
• Physicians and policymakers should consider implementing these programs with robust evaluation frameworks.
• Such initiatives are crucial for promoting health equity and optimizing resource allocation, particularly in resource-constrained environments.