Breast Cancer Navigation: Using Physician and Patient Surveys to Explore Nurse Navigator Program Experiences

Patient navigators can improve patient experiences of care and outcomes, but little is known about how navigation programs may affect physician workflows and experience.

This study aimed to understand patient and physician experiences with a breast cancer navigation (BCN) program using Lean design principles.

Surveys were developed and distributed from 2019 to 2020 to 255 patients diagnosed with breast cancer and 128 physicians in primary care and cancer-related specialties. Descriptive analyses were conducted.

Eighty-three physicians and 94 patients completed the survey. A large majority of physicians reported that the BCN program "made their day easier" and improved flow, care coordination, and patient experience. A large majority of patients reported receiving the right level of support during diagnosis communication and high satisfaction in other domains measured.