New Brunswick Patient Navigation Needs Assessment Findings

by Julia Besner, Dr. Shelley Doucet, Dr. Alison Luke, Julia Besner, Grailing Anthonisen, Lillian MacNeill, Luke MacNeil, Matt Douglas and Hannah Trites

Abstract: Dementia in Canada is increasing. It is a complex disease with varying needs throughout different stages, resulting in fragmented and uncoordinated care. This results in barriers from diagnosis through end-of-life care. Patient navigation has been shown to support people with dementia and their caregivers across various care settings. The aim of this study was to explore how dementia patient navigation can be implemented in New Brunswick (NB).   The study used a qualitative descriptive design. Participants were recruited through health, social, and community organizations focused on dementia/senior care in NB. Interviews were conducted via zoom over a four-month period. Additional data from a related project was utilized for data from people with dementia.  Twenty-seven participants were interviewed including geriatricians, nurses, social workers, administrators, decision makers, and caregivers. Challenges to dementia care navigation included lack of education and navigational support among care providers, people with dementia, and caregivers. Additionally, siloed systems prevent a common entry point to dementia care.  People with dementia and caregivers also identified a lack of peer and emotional support. Care coordination; patient-centred care; connecting services and resources; timely diagnosis; and education were identified needs. In-person care navigation was prioritized by most participants.  The findings recognize challenges of dementia care navigation, and the need for improved dementia care coordination in NB. They support previous findings from other studies showing that dementia care is often uncoordinated and lacking support, and that in-person patient navigation is a valued tool to improve the quality of dementia care.