Oncology nurse navigators and social workers help simplify the cancer treatment journey

Patients choose the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB for advanced care but also for our unique approach to guiding patients through their cancer treatment journey.

Oncology nurse navigators are perhaps the single most important point of contact for patients, as they help address any barriers to care, provide education and support, and answer any questions related to treatment. Oncology social workers step in as needed to keep treatment on schedule by helping patients with issues related to transportation, lodging, expenses, and much more.

The patient navigation services team includes three groups of helpful professionals:

• Intake nurses: registered nurses (RNs) who contact patients within 24 hours of a cancer diagnosis to review their medical history

• Nurse navigators: oncology-certified RNs who work closely with patients throughout their care journey

• Non-clinical patient service coordinators: clerical staff who organize schedules and collect information from the care teams

Most of our patients have several physicians – often from different medical specialties – and that can lead to overlapping appointments and multiple sets of instructions and information, according to Denise Cortez, MSN, BSN, RN, manager of oncology navigation and support services.

“For example, patients with lung cancer have a primary care doctor, a medical oncologist, a thoracic surgeon, and a pulmonologist,” Cortez said. “Then they have to schedule scans, treatments, and follow-ups, and that’s not to mention the various support services that patients may need.”

Nurse navigators take the stress out of remembering and coordinating all of these treatment activities, and they communicate with your care team if you get confused or need a question answered. They also make sure that patients are aware of various services that could help with other issues they are having. “We aren’t just waiting on you to have an issue or ask a question – we are advocates for your well-being,” Cortez said.

Each role plays a part

Intake nurses identify any transportation problems, financial issues, and care support needs in their very first conversation with patients, and they continue to listen for such things throughout treatment. Whenever issues arise, navigators turn to social workers, who connect patients with resources that can help.

“Many patients feel the pressure from having to travel, not being able to work as much, covering unexpected expenses, and maintaining their home lives,” said Lindsey Murphy, manager of ambulatory oncology social work. “A handoff from navigation services means we will already know the patient’s situation, so patients won’t have to waste time looking for the right person to talk with. We assess their barriers and connect them with resources specific to their situation.”

Oncology social workers help in the following areas:

• Medication assistance: Even with insurance, oncology and chemotherapy drugs are expensive. Social workers link patients with programs that make medications more affordable.

• Travel: Social workers connect patients with transportation resources in the community.

• Lodging: UAB works with nonprofit and community partners to provide lodging assistance to those who qualify.

• Community resources: When patients are unable to work and face financial strain, social workers can help them find assistance in their community.

In addition, the oncology patient navigation and social work teams jointly organize a monthly patient support group via Zoom that allows patients to share experiences, overcome common issues, and learn more about cancer care.

Patients who are stressed or overwhelmed by anything related to their cancer care are encouraged to let their nurse navigator know.