Breast cancer navigation and patient satisfaction: exploring a community-based patient navigation model in a rural setting.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES To explore patient satisfaction among newly diagnosed patients with breast cancer in a rural community setting using a nurse navigation model. DESIGN Nonexperimental, descriptive study. SETTING Large, multispecialty physician outpatient clinic serving about 150 newly diagnosed patients with breast cancer annually at the time of the study. SAMPLE 103 patients using nurse navigation services during a two-year period. METHODS A researcher-developed 14-item survey tool using a Likert-type scale was mailed to about 300 navigated patients. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES Nurse navigation and patient satisfaction. FINDINGS The majority of participants (n = 73, 72%) selected "strongly agree" in each survey statement when questioned about the benefits of nurse navigation. CONCLUSIONS Patients receiving nurse navigation for breast cancer are highly satisfied with the services offered in this setting. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING Findings from this study offer insight regarding the effectiveness of an individualized supportive care approach to nurses and providers of oncology care. That information can be used to guide the implementation of future nurse navigation programs, determine effective methods of guiding patients through the cancer experience, and aid in promoting the highest standard of oncology care.