The President’s Cancer Panel released a report titled “Enhancing Patient Navigation with Technology to Improve Equity in Cancer Care” on November 21, 2024. This comprehensive report outlines key priorities and recommendations for leveraging technology to expand access to patient navigation services and improve cancer care equity.
Background and Need
Despite advances in cancer care, many patients still face barriers to accessing high-quality, patient-centered care, particularly those from underserved and marginalized communities. Patient navigation has proven to be an effective approach for overcoming these obstacles and improving outcomes. However, navigation services do not currently reach all patients who could benefit from them.
The report identifies four main priorities:
- Using technology to support navigation activities and achieve equitable outcomes
- Ensuring equitable patient access to navigation-supporting technology
- Promoting responsible development and use of navigation technology
- Maintaining privacy and security while facilitating necessary data sharing
Recommendations in the report include:
- Developing tools to facilitate efficient care coordination and connect patients with resources
- Providing sustainable funding for broadband internet access programs
- Creating telehealth spaces in community settings like libraries
- Adhering to core principles for responsible technology development and use
- Incorporating technology skills into navigator training and competencies
- Improving health data interoperability and portability
- Evaluating privacy regulations to protect patients while fostering innovation
Guiding Principles
The Panel emphasizes that technology should augment rather than replace human interaction in navigation. Additionally, they stress that access to or use of technology should not be required for patients to receive high-quality cancer care and navigation services.
Conclusion
This report provides a roadmap for leveraging technology to expand the reach and impact of patient navigation, with the ultimate goal of reducing cancer disparities and improving outcomes for all patients. The Panel urges stakeholders across healthcare, government, technology, and advocacy to collaborate in implementing these recommendations.
Click this link to read the full report:
https://prescancerpanel.cancer.gov/reports-meetings/enhancing-patient-navigation-2024