What is a primary focus of patient navigators when working with patients?

The primary focus of patient navigators is to provide emotional and informational support. This role is essential because patients often face numerous challenges throughout their healthcare journey, including navigating complex medical systems, understanding treatment options, and managing emotional distress related to their condition.

Patient navigators serve as advocates for patients, guiding them through the healthcare process, facilitating communication between patients and healthcare providers, and ensuring that patients have the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about their care. This support is crucial for enhancing patient engagement, improving adherence to treatment plans, and ultimately leading to better health outcomes.

The option focusing on self-diagnosis detracts from the role of navigators, as they are not trained to encourage patients to undertake medical assessments independently. Minimizing communication with healthcare teams runs counter to the collaborative approach that navigators strive for, while reducing access to care contradicts the fundamental goal of patient navigation, which is to enhance access and facilitate appropriate care for patients.