Trajetória para implementação de programa de navegação de pacientes na oncologia: relato de experiência / The path to implementing a patient navigation program in oncology: an experience report
A implementação de um Programa de Navegação para pacientes com câncer exige dedicação e comprometimento institucional onde se evidencia um melhor cuidado oncológico, tendo o enfermeiro como protagonista da gestão e efetivação do processo.
OBJECTIVE:
To describe the process of implementing a Navigation Program for cancerpatients.
METHOD:
Descriptive study, type of experience report carried out in an Oncology Center in Southern Brazil.
RESULTS:
The process of implementing navigation took place in four stages the first began with the implementation of navigation for private patients with head and neck cancer; the second involved piloting the navigation program for breast cancerpatients to understand the main barriers faced by patients; the third stage, was to draw up and approve the Institutional Navigation Program Policy. In the last stage, the Breast Care Navigation Program was implemented for patients with neoadjuvant indications. A 70% reduction was achieved in the median time between indication and first oncology consultation, 28.6% between symptom and diagnosis, and 26.0% between diagnosis and start of treatment.
CONCLUSION:
Implementing a Navigation Program for cancerpatients requires dedication and institutional commitment, leading to better cancer care, with nurses playing a leading role in managing and implementing this process.