{
  "abstract": "Objective This paper outlines the 13-year development of a comprehensive, multisite patient navigation (PN) programme at Atrium Health Levine Cancer Institute (LCI), aiming to inform institutions seeking to establish or expand navigation services.Methods Between 2010 and 2023, LCI’s PN programme evolved through three distinct phases: initiation, structured development and system-wide consolidation. Key components included appointing a programme director, introducing the Acuity Grading Scale for patient prioritisation, integrating PN documentation into the electronic medical record and developing operational policies aligned with Commission on Cancer standards. Both generalist and tumour-specific nurse navigators were employed across urban and rural settings, supplemented by virtual navigation services.Results The programme demonstrated improved care coordination, timely treatment initiation and equitable access, particularly among racial and ethnic minorities. Virtual navigation proved effective during the COVID-19 pandemic. Challenges included securing clinician buy-in, standardising services across cancer types and sustaining funding amid limited reimbursement models. A navigator academy and ongoing competency evaluations supported workforce development.Conclusions LCI’s experience offers a replicable model for building PN programmes grounded in standardisation, community needs and workforce training. While promising, broader adoption will require further evidence-based standards, financial modelling and strategies to navigate system integration challenges.",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Director of Nurse Navigation, Atrium Health Levine Cancer Institute, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA"
      ],
      "name": "Kris Blackley"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Supportive Oncology, Atrium Health Levine Cancer Institute, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA",
        "Levin Cancer, Atrium Health Levine Cancer Institute, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA"
      ],
      "name": "Wael Lasheen"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Levin Cancer, Atrium Health Levine Cancer Institute, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA",
        "Hemby Family Endowed Chair of Supportive Oncology, Atrium Health Levine Cancer Institute, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA",
        "Chair Department of Supportive Oncology, Atrium Health Levine Cancer Institute, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA"
      ],
      "name": "Declan Walsh"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Levin Cancer, Atrium Health Levine Cancer Institute, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA"
      ],
      "name": "Cindy Wise"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Levin Cancer, Atrium Health Levine Cancer Institute, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA"
      ],
      "name": "Elizabeth Hess"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Levin Cancer, Atrium Health Levine Cancer Institute, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA"
      ],
      "name": "Brenda Crump"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Levin Cancer, Atrium Health Levine Cancer Institute, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA"
      ],
      "name": "Laura Kabrich"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Cancer patient navigation: program development in a large multisite cancer institute (2010–2023)",
  "uid": "858046df-7adf-5a7d-9c6c-b5c69f4443f3"
}