What does the term "patient navigation" refer to?

Patient navigation refers to the process of guiding patients through the complexities of the healthcare system. This encompasses providing support and assistance in various areas, such as understanding their diagnosis, accessing necessary resources, coordinating care among different healthcare providers, and overcoming barriers to receiving care. Patient navigators play a crucial role in ensuring that patients are informed about their options, can make educated decisions regarding their care, and can effectively maneuver through appointments, treatments, and follow-ups.

This approach is particularly valuable in situations where patients may feel overwhelmed or confused by the healthcare process, helping to improve patient experience and outcomes. By focusing on navigation, the emphasis is on the patient's journey and their interactions with the healthcare system, rather than the specific processes of billing and coding or treatment adherence, which, while important, fall outside the primary scope of patient navigation. The effectiveness of patient navigation has been shown to lead to better healthcare access, improved patient satisfaction, and better health outcomes, especially for those with chronic conditions or those who are at risk of disparities in care.