Lauren E Dockery1, Anita Motwani2, Kai Ding3, Mark Doescher4, Justin D Dvorak3, Kathleen N Moore2, Laura L Holman2. 1. Section of Gynecologic Oncology, Stephenson Cancer Center, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, United States. Electronic address: lauren-dockery@ouhsc.edu. 2. Section of Gynecologic Oncology, Stephenson Cancer Center, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, United States. 3. Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, United States. 4. Department of Family Medicine, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, United States.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Patient navigation programs have been shown to positively impact cancer outcomes for minority populations. Little is known regarding the effects of these programs on American Indian (AI) populations. The purpose of this study is to characterize the impact of a patient navigation program on AI cervical cancer patients at a tertiary care center. METHODS: A retrospective review of all AI cervical cancer patients receiving navigation services and a cohort of AI patients treated prior to navigation services was performed. Additional comparisons were made between those with and without Indian Health Service (IHS) funding. Summary statistics were used to describe demographic, clinical characteristics, treatment, and survivorship across groups. RESULTS: Of 55 patients identified, 34 received navigation and 21 did not. In navigated patients, median age was 46years (27-80years) compared with 42years (17-68years) in pre-navigation patients (p=0.53). There was no difference between stage at diagnosis (p=0.73). No difference was noted in treatment received between groups (p=0.48). Distance traveled for treatment between groups did not differ (p=0.46). Median time to initiation of treatment was not different between groups, 30.5days vs. 27.5days (p=0.18). Among patients with IHS funding, navigation services did not alter time to initiation of treatment (p=0.57), and there was no difference in completion of prescribed therapy between groups (92% navigated vs 100% pre-navigation). CONCLUSIONS: Navigation services for AI cervical cancer patients did not alter initiation or completion of treatment. Navigation programs may provide less tangible benefits to AI cervical cancer patients and further study is warranted.
OBJECTIVES:Patient navigation programs have been shown to positively impact cancer outcomes for minority populations. Little is known regarding the effects of these programs on American Indian (AI) populations. The purpose of this study is to characterize the impact of a patient navigation program on AI cervical cancerpatients at a tertiary care center. METHODS: A retrospective review of all AI cervical cancerpatients receiving navigation services and a cohort of AI patients treated prior to navigation services was performed. Additional comparisons were made between those with and without Indian Health Service (IHS) funding. Summary statistics were used to describe demographic, clinical characteristics, treatment, and survivorship across groups. RESULTS: Of 55 patients identified, 34 received navigation and 21 did not. In navigated patients, median age was 46years (27-80years) compared with 42years (17-68years) in pre-navigation patients (p=0.53). There was no difference between stage at diagnosis (p=0.73). No difference was noted in treatment received between groups (p=0.48). Distance traveled for treatment between groups did not differ (p=0.46). Median time to initiation of treatment was not different between groups, 30.5days vs. 27.5days (p=0.18). Among patients with IHS funding, navigation services did not alter time to initiation of treatment (p=0.57), and there was no difference in completion of prescribed therapy between groups (92% navigated vs 100% pre-navigation). CONCLUSIONS: Navigation services for AI cervical cancerpatients did not alter initiation or completion of treatment. Navigation programs may provide less tangible benefits to AI cervical cancerpatients and further study is warranted.
Authors: Wendy Gifford; Margo Rowan; Peggy Dick; Shokoufeh Modanloo; Maggie Benoit; Zeina Al Awar; Liquaa Wazni; Viviane Grandpierre; Roanne Thomas; Lindsey Sikora; Ian D Graham Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2021-05-24 Impact factor: 3.603