The Process of Oncology Nurse Practitioner Patient Navigation: A Grounded Theory Approach, Carving the Role

Abstract

Purpose: The role of oncology nurse practitioner patient navigator and process is not well delineated. To address this problem, a grounded theory study was designed to answer the question: What processes do oncology nurse practitioners use in caring for cancer patients? Methods:To be eligible for the study the nurse practitioner should be: 1) certified as a nurse practitioner in their respective state, 2) have a certification to practice in oncology nursing, 3) entitled as an oncology NP navigator in their respective institution, 4) at least 5 years work experience in caring for cancer patients. Recruitment strategies consisted of word of mouth snowball sampling, posting on websites, bulletin boards, and blogs of professional organizations; telephone soliciting, and e-mailing. The sample consisted of N=20 nurse practitioners. Data was collected via an open ended interview questionnaire. It was coded utilizing NVivo software. This manuscript details responses of the candidates pertaining to role function which is a subcomponent of the larger data set.Results: Oncology nurse practitioner navigators are frontiersman in the cancer arena in that they are carving unique novel roles and partnerships. A core category and basic social navigation process was defined as well as challenges. Conclusions: Program development is evident and ongoing in the navigation process and in all partnerships; evolving to manifest a navigation system Suggestions for practice and research as well research methodologies to further the navigation knowledge base have been suggested.

The Process of Oncology Nurse Practitioner Patient Navigation: A Grounded Theory Approach

“…Additionally this type of tool could be used as a triage mechanism which would identify those at risk of not receiving and/or completing care, and barriers could be addressed accordingly in a systems fashion. Oncology related triage tools are of crucial importance as failure of the best of care plans can be thwarted by an inept triage process [48][49][50][51].…”

“…Most importantly this would necessitate that the ONP's have direct input in reference to matching evaluative processes of facility metrics with community, state, and universal metrics for evaluation of their impact on cancer control [48][49][50][51].…”

“…Additionally not all of the navigators were supported in utilizing their advanced practice skills. Practicing to the highest level of their licensure, and clearly defining the role is important in terms of providing continuity of care, and consistency within the role definition [48][49][50][51]. According to Grainne, Plummer, O'Brien, and Boyd (2011), defining what NPs do professionally promotes nursing in the global context, and helps raise the profile of nursing as a profession [53].…”