Beyond “C”: A Nurse Navigator-Led Education Project to Increase Survivorship Referrals and Cancer Survivorship Attendance

Introduction: Recent advancements in cancer care have improved the prognosis of many cancer survivors who are living longer due to early detection and improvements in treatment. These survivors remain at risk for long-term physical treatment side effects. Survivors may also experience depression and anxiety related to fear of recurrence. Studies show many benefits for patients who participate in survivorship programs; however, participation remains low due to various barriers. The purpose of this evidence-based practice project was to implement an oncology nurse navigator (ONN)-led survivorship patient education initiative and evaluate its effectiveness on survivorship program referrals and participation. Methods: Baptist Health’s Clinical Excellence through Evidence-based Practice (CETEP) model was used to design the practice change. Data were collected from an outpatient oncology institute for comparison before and after implementation to evaluate (1) the difference in the number of referrals and (2) the attendance rate of the initial survivorship consultation appointments. Data were collected from three months before and three months after the intervention. Result: Post-intervention results showed a 244% increase (pre-intervention, n = 45; post-intervention, n = 155) in ONN-initiated referrals, a 261% increase (pre-intervention, n = 18; post-intervention, n = 65) in patients scheduled for survivorship consults, and a 156% increase (pre-intervention, n = 16; post-intervention, n = 41) in patients who attended their initial survivorship consultation appointment. Discussion: Oncology nurse navigators are in a prime position to provide cancer survivors with the necessary education to promote and encourage participation in survivorship programs. Implementing ONN survivorship education and compliance significantly increased the number of survivorship referrals and patients’ attendance at the first scheduled survivorship visit.