Survivorship navigation is a relatively new concept in the field of patient navigation but an important one. This article highlights the essential functions of the survivorship navigator and defines core outcomes and measures for navigation in the survivorship period. Barriers to access to care experienced by patients during active cancer treatment can continue into the post-treatment period, affecting quality follow-up care for survivors. These barriers to care can be particularly acute for non-English speakers, immigrants, the uninsured, the underinsured, and other vulnerable populations. The survivorship navigator can help reduce barriers and facilitate access to survivorship care and services through communication and information exchange for patients. Survivorship navigation may improve appropriate health care utilization through education and care coordination, potentially improving health outcomes and quality of life of survivors while reducing cost to the health care system. Survivorship navigators can also educate survivors on how to improve their overall wellness, thereby directly impacting the health of a growing population of cancer survivors. Copyright © 2011 American Cancer Society.

Survivorship outcome measures Patient navigation

patient care vulnerable population adaptation psychological aspect neoplasm health insurance Neoplasms human interpersonal communication survivor Self Report follow up cancer survival Survivors medical society Societies, Medical cost minimization analysis priority journal statistics health care distribution national health organization Patient Education as Topic human relation quality of life psychological well being United States health care cost Humans health program cancer survivor male female Review patient assessment patient satisfaction Continuity of Patient Care cancer therapy Outcome Assessment (Health Care) patient education Article Adaptation, Physiological health care utilization organization and management cost control health education mortality health care access outcome assessment Sickness Impact Profile health care system survivorship navigation survival factor clinical effectiveness