The Praxis Group™ | Involving People.

The Alberta Cancer Board, Medical Affairs and Community Oncology Division (MACO), sought to design a patient navigation framework to improve the integration, coordination and continuity of care for all Albertans diagnosed with cancer. The first step in this process was to undertake a high quality needs assessment that would build on and/or link with existing patient navigator projects or programs within Alberta and other provinces. MACO contracted Praxis to consult on and implement the research for this needs sssessment.

MACO and Praxis developed a plan of action for this task consisting of two components. The first involved consultation with cancer patients and cancer survivors to gather information on the needs and perspectives of those undergoing cancer diagnosis and care. Focus groups were conducted with cancer patients/survivors across Alberta in January of 2006. The second component included a consultation with key informants to learn more about their needs and perspectives regarding cancer patient navigation. Praxis used purposive sampling to select and approach a wide range of health care professionals and institutional leaders involved in the delivery and support for cancer care in Alberta.

Praxis also used a two-stage Delphi survey in the consultation process. The primary goal for conducting the needs assessment was to gather information required to design a provincial cancer patient navigation framework that addressed the needs of patients and their families/caregivers and health care providers in this field. With the help of Praxis, the research team was able to design a framework for cancer patient navigation in Alberta, which was presented to the Steering Committee for consideration.