The Value of the Nurse Navigator in Complex Cancer Care : A Scoping Review

Background/Objectives: Many Canadians experience challenges navigating the healthcare system during their cancer care. Nurse navigators are uniquely positioned to support patients with their clinical expertise in oncology and patient care, but they have not been widely implemented. This study aimed to examine the impact of nurse navigators and barriers to successful implementation of a nurse navigator program. Methods: MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases were searched for articles examining the role of nurse navigators in cancer care. The data was extracted on study design, patient characteristics, nurse navigators’ responsibilities, outcomes, barriers to success, and recommendations for implementing nurse navigator programs. Content analysis was used to identify common themes. Results: Of 1787 articles identified, 44 articles met the inclusion criteria and underwent data extraction. Nurse navigator responsibilities included patient education, psychosocial support, clinical assessment, care coordination, patient advocacy, and improving workflows. Most studies reported significant benefits from nurse navigator programs, including patient-centered care, satisfaction with the healthcare system, reduced patient distress, healthcare provider support, and enhanced patient monitoring. Barriers included a lack of understanding of the role, overwhelmed nurse navigators, and inefficient healthcare system workflows. Recommendations for future nurse navigator programs include providing personalized support to patients, encouraging integrated healthcare teams, and permanent funding. Conclusions: Nurse navigator programs improve cancer patients’ experiences and the efficiency of cancer care delivery. Implementation necessitates integration into the healthcare team and longitudinal financial and professional support of nurse navigators.