Cristian Garcia-Alcaraz1,2, Scott C Roesch1,2, Elizabeth Calhoun3, Patrick Wightman4, Prashanthinie Mohan5, Tracy A Battaglia6, Rosa Cobian Aguilar2, Patricia A Valverde7, Kristen J Wells1,2. 1. San Diego State University/University of California San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, San Diego, California. 2. Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California. 3. University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas. 4. Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona. 5. Center for Population Science and Discovery, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona. 6. Boston Medical Center and Boston University Schools of Medicine and Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts. 7. Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, Colorado.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: In the current nationwide study, the authors used latent class analysis (LCA) to identify classes of cancer patient navigators (CPNs) and examined whether class membership and 12 indicators were related to navigator role retention. METHODS: By using data from 460 CPNs in the United States, LCA identified classes (ie, homogenous subgroups) of CPNs with the following indicators: type of CPN (clinical vs nonclinical), education level, area(s) of the cancer care continuum in which the CPN provided patient navigation, region and urbanity where the CPN provided services, organizational work setting, and patient navigation program funding source. The associations of navigator retention with class membership and each indicator were examined using χ2 tests. RESULTS: LCA identified 3 classes of CPNs. Classes 1 and 3 were conceptualized as distinct, homogeneous subgroups of clinical CPNs that appeared to differ mainly on their likelihood of engagement in outreach, survivorship, palliative care, and end-of-life patient navigation. Class 2 was conceptualized as a nonclinical CPN subgroup that was distinct primarily based on their high endorsement of employment in programs, which are at least partially funded by grants and engagement in earlier stages of patient navigation (eg, early detection). The provision of survivorship and treatment patient navigation was related to navigator role retention, with senior CPNs providing these patient navigation services more than novice CPNs. CONCLUSIONS: The current study highlights 3 distinct classes of CPNs, provides initial information regarding determinants of navigator retention, and makes several recommendations for future patient navigation research.
BACKGROUND: In the current nationwide study, the authors used latent class analysis (LCA) to identify classes of cancer patient navigators (CPNs) and examined whether class membership and 12 indicators were related to navigator role retention. METHODS: By using data from 460 CPNs in the United States, LCA identified classes (ie, homogenous subgroups) of CPNs with the following indicators: type of CPN (clinical vs nonclinical), education level, area(s) of the cancer care continuum in which the CPN provided patient navigation, region and urbanity where the CPN provided services, organizational work setting, and patient navigation program funding source. The associations of navigator retention with class membership and each indicator were examined using χ2 tests. RESULTS: LCA identified 3 classes of CPNs. Classes 1 and 3 were conceptualized as distinct, homogeneous subgroups of clinical CPNs that appeared to differ mainly on their likelihood of engagement in outreach, survivorship, palliative care, and end-of-life patient navigation. Class 2 was conceptualized as a nonclinical CPN subgroup that was distinct primarily based on their high endorsement of employment in programs, which are at least partially funded by grants and engagement in earlier stages of patient navigation (eg, early detection). The provision of survivorship and treatment patient navigation was related to navigator role retention, with senior CPNs providing these patient navigation services more than novice CPNs. CONCLUSIONS: The current study highlights 3 distinct classes of CPNs, provides initial information regarding determinants of navigator retention, and makes several recommendations for future patient navigation research.
Authors: Kathryn L Braun; Marjorie Kagawa-Singer; Alan E C Holden; Linda Burhansstipanov; Jacqueline H Tran; Brenda F Seals; Giselle Corbie-Smith; JoAnn U Tsark; Lisa Harjo; Mary Anne Foo; Amelie G Ramirez Journal: J Health Care Poor Underserved Date: 2012-02
Authors: Patricia A Valverde; Elizabeth Calhoun; Angelina Esparza; Kristen J Wells; Betsy C Risendal Journal: Transl Behav Med Date: 2018-05-23 Impact factor: 3.046
Authors: Tracy A Battaglia; Linda Fleisher; Andrea J Dwyer; Dawn E Wiatrek; Kristen J Wells; Patrick Wightman; Tricia Strusowski; Elizabeth Calhoun Journal: Cancer Date: 2022-07-01 Impact factor: 6.860
Authors: Kristen J Wells; Tracy A Battaglia; Donald J Dudley; Roland Garcia; Amanda Greene; Elizabeth Calhoun; Jeanne S Mandelblatt; Electra D Paskett; Peter C Raich Journal: Cancer Date: 2008-10-15 Impact factor: 6.860