CRANBURY, NJ – With the emergence of COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) has come tremendous global concern and uncertainty. In response, the Academy of Oncology Nurse & Patient Navigators (AONN+) has developed a digital COVID-19 Navigator Toolkit that is free for professionals who work with oncology patients.
“A cancer diagnosis on its own can be terrifying. When compounded by concerns over a potentially life-threatening virus, the results can have serious emotional and physical implications,” says Danelle Johnston, MSN, RN, HON-ONN-CG, OCN, AONN+ Chief Nursing Officer and Senior Director of Strategic Planning and Initiatives. “Our role at AONN+ is to provide our nurse and patient navigators with the education and support they need to calm their patients’ fears and, in the process, improve their care and quality of life.”
AONN+’s COVID-19 Navigator Toolkit contains written materials and resources that oncology professionals can use to explain to patients how this virus can affect them and ways in which they can protect themselves and loved ones. This includes simple-to-read items such as FAQs, tips for boosting immune systems, helpful definitions, and self-care strategies. In a statement accompanying the toolkit, AONN+ says:
In light of the COVID-19 novel coronavirus, the Academy of Oncology Nurse & Patient Navigators (AONN+) is aware of the increased acuity of patient care that navigators are managing on a daily basis with patients with cancer and their families. In response, we aim to support our professional members with credible resources/information they can use to educate and empower those around them as well as alleviate fears. The navigator’s primary responsibility to the patient is to follow the mandatory guidelines set by their federal, state, and/or healthcare institution.
The statement goes on to emphasize the importance of patient empowerment in the cancer care continuum and the importance of effective exchanges of information.
About the Academy of Oncology Nurse & Patient Navigators® (www.aonnonline.org)
The Academy of Oncology Nurse & Patient Navigators, Inc. (AONN+) is the largest national specialty organization dedicated to improving patient care and quality of life by defining, enhancing, and promoting the role of oncology nurse and patient navigators. The organization, which has nearly 8,900 members, was founded in 2009 to provide a network for all professionals involved and interested in patient navigation and survivorship care services in order to better manage the complexities of the cancer treatment process.
The Journal of Oncology Navigation & Survivorship® (www.jons-online.com) is the official publication of AONN+. JONS seeks to strengthen the role of nurse and patient navigators in cancer care by serving as a platform for these professionals to disseminate original research findings, exchange best practices, and find support for their growing community.
CONQUER: the patient voice™ magazine (www.conquer-magazine.com) is the Academy of Oncology Nurse & Patient Navigators (AONN+) premier forum for patients with cancer. CONQUER features articles written by and for patients with cancer, survivors, nurse navigators, and other oncology team members. This magazine addresses the issues that patients, their family members, and caregivers face every day in an easy-to-read format. Issues include interviews with patients with cancer, information on access to care, and articles on lifestyle topics such as nutrition, stress management, personal finance, and legal and employer issues. CONQUER also features patient stories that are nominated for the AONN+ Hero of Hope™ award, which is presented at the AONN+ Annual Conference. All stories are compiled in a special issue of CONQUER at the end of the year.
Gwen Coverdale, 267-884-6328
