Training Patient Navigators

This project will train Patient Navigators, who are lay individuals who offer assistance to healthcare consumers (patients, survivors, families, and caregivers) to help them access and then chart a course through the healthcare system and overcome any barriers to quality care. The two key goals are to 1) reduce barriers to cancer care and 2) ensure timely delivery of healthcare services.

A patient navigator intervention utilizes culturally competent, trained individuals to help patients alongside standard care personnel (i.e., physicians, nurses, social workers), to reduce or eliminate health disparities.

Over 30 health coaches, 150 medical students, and over 100 resident physicians will complete Consortium training programs in Health Coaching and Patient Navigation over the next three years.