Stakeholder perspectives on six identified interpersonal communication components of patient navigation in breast cancer care

• Published in: Supportive care in cancer Vol. 31; no. 12; p. 688
• Main Authors: Gallups, Sarah F., Demirci, Jill, Nilsen, Marci Lee, Burke, Jessica, Bender, Catherine, Rosenzweig, Margaret Q.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01-12-2023; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Brainstorming; Breast cancer; Breast Neoplasms - therapy; Communication; Concept mapping; Continuity of care; Female; Humans; Interpersonal communication; Medical research; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Nursing; Nursing Research; Oncology; Pain Medicine; Patient Care; Patient Navigation - methods; Patients; Rehabilitation Medicine; Social Skills; Stakeholders; Breast cancer; Patient navigation; Interpersonal communication; Health disparities
• ISSN: 0941-4355; 1433-7339
• DOI: 10.1007/s00520-023-08121-7

Purpose
Although identified as a key competency domain and a needed area of professional development, interpersonal communication in breast cancer care patient navigation is understudied. Moreover, the patient-navigator relationship may be influenced by the interpersonal communication skills and behaviors of the patient navigator. This paper reports on the interpretation step of a concept mapping study, where key stakeholders shared their perspectives on six identified interpersonal communication components of breast cancer care patient navigation.
Methods
This study utilized concept mapping, a community-engaged mixed method approach. After conducting brainstorming, sorting, and concept mapping analysis, a six-cluster concept map of interpersonal communication in breast cancer care patient navigation was identified. Interpretation sessions with each participant group (patients, patient navigators, administrators) allowed both naming and more in-depth exploration of the six clusters. The sessions were led by a facilitator, the PI, and were audio recorded and transcribed.
Results
Six 2-h interpretation sessions were conducted with 21 participants, including patients with breast cancer, breast cancer patient navigators (lay or medically trained), and patient navigation administrators from Western Pennsylvania. Through a group consensus process, the six clusters were named. Participants identified that all six identified components were essential to patient navigation, but the ability to build patient-centered trust and relationships and maintain professional communication were the most impactful components of the patient-navigator relationship.
Conclusion
These findings validate the importance of interpersonal skills and behaviors of patient navigators in breast cancer care. These findings can inform the patient navigation role description, competencies, and the development of curriculum for training and metrics for evaluation.