A new study by The George Washington University Cancer Center Technical Assistance and Training Program (GW TAP) highlights the long‑term impact of its Oncology Patient Navigator Training: The Fundamentals, a free, comprehensive program designed to strengthen the cancer care workforce and improve patient outcomes.
Published in the Journal of Cancer Education, “The George Washington University Oncology Patient Navigator Training: The Fundamentals: Outcomes from a Decade of Learning” analyzes ten years of participant data to assess the effectiveness of the training. The course is nationally recognized for preparing oncology patient navigators to help individuals overcome barriers to cancer screening, diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship care.
Patient navigators play an increasingly important role in cancer care delivery, helping patients and families manage complex health systems. Prior research has shown that patient navigation is associated with improved access to screening, reduced delays in diagnosis and treatment, and better continuity of care across the cancer continuum. However, the navigation workforce is diverse, with navigators coming from a wide range of professional and educational backgrounds, underscoring the need for standardized foundational training.
The GW Cancer Center developed Oncology Patient Navigator Training: The Fundamentals to address this need. The curriculum covers core competencies essential to effective navigation, including patient-centered communication, health system navigation, ethics, interdisciplinary teamwork, and strategies for identifying and addressing barriers to care such as financial, logistical, and psychosocial challenges.
The study found that participants demonstrated significant improvements in knowledge and self‑reported confidence across all learning domains. Learners also reported that the training provided practical tools and resources they were able to apply directly in their professional roles. Strong course completion rates further suggest high engagement and relevance among participants.
Since its launch in 2015, the training has reached more than 13,000 learners across over 40 countries, highlighting both its global reach and its role in building capacity within the cancer navigation workforce.
“Our findings show that accessible, high‑quality training can help prepare the workforce needed to support patients at every stage of the cancer journey,” said Mandi Pratt‑Chapman, PhD, Associate Director of Scientific Communication and Dissemination at the GW Cancer Center. “Patient navigators are essential to reducing barriers to care and improving the overall patient experience, particularly for populations that experience disparities in cancer outcomes.”
Key findings from the study include:
- Significant gains in learner confidence across all training modules
- Demonstrated knowledge improvements among participants
- Positive learner feedback on the relevance and usability of training materials
- Sustained demand for professional development in oncology patient navigation
The GW Cancer Center continues to evolve the training to reflect advances in cancer care, emerging evidence, and changes in workforce needs. An updated version of the course was released in 2025, incorporating new standards, resources, and subject matter expertise from across the field.
This research underscores the importance of continued investment in workforce development as a strategy to support high‑quality, equitable cancer care and to strengthen systems that serve patients throughout the cancer continuum.
