Exploring the nurse navigator role: A thematic analysis

Abstract

Background: Patients with complex chronic conditions experience fragmentation of care, unnecessary hospitalization and reduced quality of life, with an increased incidence of poor health outcomes. Aim(s):The aim of this paper was to explore how nurse navigators manage client care. This was achieved through an examination of narratives provided by the nurse navigator that evaluated their scope of practice. Method(s):All nurse navigators employed by Queensland Health were invited to participate in a study evaluating the effectiveness of the service. Eighty-four selfreported vignettes were thematically analysed to understand the work from the nurses' perspectives.Results: Two themes emerged from the vignettes. Theme 1, the layers of complexity, is comprised of three sub-themes: the complex patient, the complex system and patient outcomes. Theme 2, professional attributes, has two sub-themes: personcentred care and clinical excellence.Conclusion: Navigators innovatively integrate services and address the fragmented nature of the health system. They apply expert clinical and social skills, through consistent and robust communication, to meet the needs of those with multiple chronic conditions. Implications for nursing management: Results provide insight into the new role, illuminating the work they achieve, despite system complexities. K E Y W O R D S integrated health care systems care, multiple chronic conditions, nurse navigator, nurses' role, patient navigation, quality of life | 815 BYRNE Et al.

Caring for patients at home after acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A phenomenological study of family caregivers’ experiences

“…Such work is also going on elsewhere in Europe to strengthen the support for care and carers in community settings. Our study adds to the evidence base for a skilled practitioner working with families to act as navigators and sources of support in terms of caring for people with chronic illness at home (Byrne et al, 2020). The presence of such a practitioner for the participants in our study would have been significant and has been recognised as effective in other aspects of COPD care (Sutherland & Hayter, 2008).…”

“…Our study of caregivers’ experiences in a southern European setting reveals some similarities with studies done elsewhere in the world. Similar concerns are expressed, and similar issues occur – such as the need for communication from health professionals and the stress caused by the burden of caregiving (Anderson et al, 2017; Byrne et al, 2020).…”

Primary Healthcare Competencies Needed in the Management of Integrated and Person-centred Care for Chronic Illness and Multimorbidity

“…The designs varied -ranked by level of evidence from one randomized controlled trial (15), four literature reviews (16- 19), two expert opinions (20,21), and two studies were mixed methods studies (22,23). The remaining twelve studies were qualitative studies (24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30)(31)(32)(33)(34)(35). The included studies were performed in the United States (n=9), the Netherlands (n=5), Australia (n=2) and one study in each of the following countries: Belgium, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.…”

“…All studies related to primary care, but the speci c healthcare professionals involved in the execution of PC-IC varied. Eight studies involved PC-IC from the perspective of one profession; nurses (23,26,27), nurse practitioners (21,24), general practitioners (36), behavioral health consultants (18), or primary care internal medicine residents (24). Two studies involved a mix of healthcare professionals including general practitioners, nurses, occupational therapists, pharmacists, physiotherapists, social workers and speech language therapists (33,37).…”

Nurse navigators and person‐centred care; delivered but not valued?

“…Although there are examples of NNs internationally, for example, McAllister and Schmitt (2015) and McMullen (2013), little research has addressed the way in which PCC is articulated, with limited exploration of how it is translated into practice. Many of the patients being referred to NN services have disengaged from health care or are struggling to cope with the multiplicity of their care (Byrne et al, 2020; Carter et al, 2018), fitting within the previously identified label of non‐compliant.…”