The Oncology Nurse Navigator as "Gate Opener" to Interdisciplinary Supportive and Palliative Care for People with Head and Neck Cancer.

Abstract

Background: People living with head and neck cancer frequently encounter challenges in their treatment with multimodality therapy and risk of side effects. Ensuring access to and use of interdisciplinary supportive and palliative care is often challenging given the complex needs and unfamiliar treatment experiences.

Objectives: Describe the CARE Clinic Plus ONN Gate Opener as an approach to enhance access to and utilization of interdisciplinary supportive and palliative care for people living with head and neck cancer.

Discussion: The Cancer Appetite and Rehabilitation (CARE) Clinic model offers interdisciplinary supportive and palliative care to patients at risk, including those living with head and neck cancer. The oncology nurse navigator (ONN) serves as gate opener, ensuring that those individuals receive appropriate assessment with personalized education and referrals for timely prehabilitation, rehabilitation, and palliation.

Conclusions: The ONN, as a gate opener for people living with head and neck cancer, offers an innovative approach to elevate the patient experience and improve clinical outcomes through interdisciplinary supportive and palliative care when working in collaboration with the CARE Clinic. Guidance for other centers to adapt our model to meet their patient and family needs concludes our discussion.