Dear Navigators, Social Workers, Administrators, and Clinical Staff,
Five years ago, the Academy of Oncology Nurse & Patient Navigators (AONN+) proudly published “Standardized Evidence-Based Oncology Navigation Metrics for All Models”—or “The Metrics,” as we affectionately call them. These metrics assess the value and impact of navigation programs within the 8 AONN+ Domains of Knowledge and measure 3 specific areas: patient experience, clinical outcome, and return on investment. The Domains of Knowledge include community outreach/prevention, coordination of care/care transitions, patient advocacy/patient empowerment, psychosocial support services/assessment, survivorship/end of life, professional roles and responsibilities, operations management/organizational development/healthcare economics, and research/quality/performance improvement.
In recognition of the 5th anniversary of the AONN+ Metrics, we are taking a closer look at the metrics within each area of measurement. In this issue, we focus on metrics that impact clinical outcomes.
As a navigator, you are keenly aware of the impact your navigation program has on patient experience, clinical outcomes, as well as the positive return on investment for your organization. But have you considered implementing metrics to demonstrate just how impactful your navigation program is? The AONN+ Metrics provide you with an evidence-based method to do just that. When you implement and record your results, you not only prove your impact on patients’ lives, but you also have the opportunity to share your results with your navigation community.
On behalf of all of us at the Academy and JONS, I encourage you to consider implementing 3 or 4 AONN+ Metrics and report your results. Each year, navigators from across the globe submit their research abstracts to our annual meeting to share their research, best practices, and metrics implementation. It is my hope that you will join us.
Sincerely,
Lillie D. Shockney, RN, BS, MAS, HON-ONN-CG
Editor-in-Chief, JONS
University Distinguished Service Professor of Breast Cancer; Professor of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Co-Developer of Work Stride: Managing Cancer at Work, Johns Hopkins Healthcare Solutions; Co-Founder of AONN+; Co-Founder of the Association of Chronic & Complex Care Nurse Navigators (ACCCNN).
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