Georgia's Online Cancer Information Center

About Cancer Patient Navigators

What is a Patient Navigator?

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) defines a patient navigator as a person who helps guide a patient through the healthcare system. This includes help going through the screening, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of a medical condition, such as cancer. A patient navigator helps patients communicate with their healthcare providers so they get the information they need to make decisions about their health care. Patient navigators may also help patients set up appointments for doctor visits and medical tests and get financial, legal, and social support. They may also work with insurance companies, employers, case managers, lawyers, and others who may have an effect on a patient’s healthcare needs. Patient navigators can also be called patient advocates.

Background

Cancer Patient Navigators of Georgia (CPNG) was established in 2009 and is co-sponsored by Georgia CORE and the Georgia Society of Clinical Oncology (GASCO). Georgia is one of the first states in the country to form a statewide multi-disciplinary organization for cancer patient navigators. Cancer Patient Navigators of Georgia (CPNG) is comprised of individuals who serve people with all types of cancer, at all stages, in all types of settings. CPNG members have a diversity of education and training, but a shared mission: to connect, educate and share best practices among patient navigators in Georgia, as well as successfully reduce barriers and increase access to cancer-related services. CPNG became a Local Navigator Network (LNN) of The Academy of Oncology Nurse & Patient Navigators (AONN+) in 2019 and is the first in Georgia to become an LNN.

Mission

Our mission is to connect, educate and share best practices among patient navigators in Georgia so that together we can successfully reduce barriers and increase access to services specifically related to cancer

Vision

Patient navigation will play a consistent, defined and sustainable role for all Georgians throughout the cancer continuum to include prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, survivorship and end of life care.

Goals & Objectives:

  • Build a shared sense of purpose
  • Attract and sustain membership
  • Identify the needs of CPNs and match them with resources
  • Foster collaboration
  • Share best practices
  • Define the value of CPNs in affecting overall outcomes
  • Bring clarity/structure to the role of CPNs in Georgia
  • Educate target audiences about the significance of CPN
  • Establish a statewide registry of cancer navigators

 

Guiding Principles:

Inclusiveness  
CPNG includes individuals who serve people with all types of cancer, at all stages, in all types of settings, with a diversity of education and training, but a shared mission.

Competency
CPNG seeks to participate in defining the field of patient navigation with appropriate core competencies for navigators. 

Collaboration
CPNG strives for excellence through a conscious effort to unite, connect, and share best practices through statewide communications and networking.

Compassion
CPNG shares a sympathetic consciousness of others' distress together with a desire to alleviate it.

Holistic Approach
CPNG believes that all aspects of people's needs -- psychological, physical,  social and spiritual -- should be taken into account and seen as a whole.

Last Updated: 6/21/2021 8:50:28 AM

CPNG

Understanding Cancer Treatment De-Escalation

A conversation with integrative radiation oncologist Matt Mumber, MD.

8/15/2023

Georgia CORE announces the first annual Phillip H. Street Cancer Community Service Award and the 2023 Matt Mumber M.D. Award for Excellence in Cancer

After a months-long nomination and selection process, Georgia CORE is pleased to announce Tiah Tomlin-Harris the winner of the first award given in honor of the late Phillip Street. Together with CPNG, Georgia CORE also has awarded the 2023 Matt Mumber M.D. Award for Excellence in Cancer Patient Navigation to Emily Beard of Northside Hospital

12/06/2022

Looking Across Disciplines to Share the Breadth of Innovation in Cancer Care

On July 25, 2023, The American Journal of Managed Care® brought its Institute for Value-Based Medicine (IVBM) series to Atlanta, Georgia, where nnovation was on the agenda.

8/22/2023

DNA sequencing can lead to longer, better lives for cancer patients. But why do so few get it?

Guidelines now call for everyone diagnosed with advanced lung and colon cancer to get their tumor genetically sequenced, and increasingly, patients with earlier stage disease, as well.

6/09/2023

Georgia CORE releases report from Disparities in Cancer Clinical Trials Summit

On Sept. 30, Georgia's cancer experts shared advice and experiences with oncology providers, patient navigators and research managers - all to provide new ways to diversify participation in clinical trials. In February 2023, Georgia CORE issued a report with a recap and actions steps. Download the report >>

10/25/2022

Georgia CORE

 

Advancing Cancer Care through Partnerships and Innovation

Georgia CORE is a statewide nonprofit that leverages partnerships and innovation to attract more clinical trials, increase research, and promote education and early detection to improve cancer care for Georgians in rural, urban, and suburban communities across the state.