The George Washington University Oncology Patient Navigator Training: The Fundamentals: Outcomes from a Decade of Learning

Patient navigation is an evidence-based intervention to improve access to cancer screenings, time to diagnostic resolution, adherence to treatment and improved survivorship. Given the diversity of lived experiences and educational backgrounds of navigators, standardized foundational training that aligns with standards of practice and reimbursement requirements is critical. To address this need, in 2015 the George Washington University (GW) Cancer Center launched the Oncology Patient Navigator Training: The Fundamentals (Patient Navigator Training), an accessible, no cost, evidence-based training for patient navigators. To understand its reach and impact after 10 years, the GW Cancer Center Technical Assistance and Training team analyzed data using paired t-tests in SPSS v29.02.02. Across all lessons, statistically significant improvements in learner confidence for all learning objectives were reported. In sum, the freely available Patient Navigator Training developed by the GW Cancer Center provides a strong foundation to prepare oncology patient navigators for practice. It may also be adapted to train navigators in other disease areas or geographies.