Helpful Definitions

An oral therapy is a medication that is administered by mouth. Oral therapies have many advantages for patients, such as the convenience to take medications at home and avoiding the discomfort of IV therapies.

However, it is important that the patient’s maintain adherence to the recommended treatment schedule, taking the medication as prescribed without missing a dose.

An individual who does not have or use clinical training to provide individualized assistance to patients and families affected by cancer to improve access to health care services. A patient navigator may work within the health care system at point of screening, diagnosis, treatment or survivorship or across the cancer care spectrum or outside the health care system at a community based organization or as a freelance patient navigator. The patient navigator, unlike a "lay" navigator is a paid professional and serves as a broker between the patient and the health care system.

The patient navigator is a primary point of contact for the patient and works with other members of the care team to coordinate care for the patient. This critical person on the multidisciplinary team provides important perspective on logistical, structural and social needs of the patient as well as cultural considerations, patient values and care preferences. In general, a patient navigator provides assistance with identifying challenges to cancer care, identifying potential solutions with patients and families, identifying financial assistance to address patient needs, helping patients identify priority questions about their care, helping patients use time effectively with clinical providers and working with social work and nurse navigator colleagues to provide psychosocial and community support. A social worker or nurse may perform the role of a patient navigator, but in this instance they should discuss their scope of practice with their supervisor to ensure they perform duties within their hired role as opposed to within their clinical training.