Evaluating the implementation of a pediatric patient-navigation centre in Atlantic Canada

Dr. Lillian MacNeill, Dr. Alison Luke, Dr. Shelley Doucet and Brittany Skelding
Centre for Research in Integrated Care, University of New Brunswick

NaviCare/SoinsNavi is a research-based patient navigation centre for children/youth with complex care needs (CCNs) in New Brunswick. While the central focus of NaviCare/SoinsNavi is to improve the care experience of children/youth with CCNs and their families, research and advocacy are an integral part of NaviCare/SoinsNavi’s mission. This process evaluation focused on the implementation of NaviCare/SoinsNavi by exploring indicators related to program coverage and process. Key indicators were explored using client charts and program archives, as well as interviews with past clients (n=12) and members of the NaviCare/SoinsNavi team (n=6). With respect to coverage, NaviCare/SoinsNavi served 200 clients between December 2017 and May 2020. Most clients resided in Saint John, Fredericton, or Moncton, and were English speaking. The most commonly reported diagnoses were Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Process activities were divided into four categories: outreach/marketing, patient navigation, research/training, and integrated care. Preliminary qualitative analysis revealed that clients and staff felt the centre could improve their outreach/marketing efforts to expand the reach and coverage of the centre. Patient navigation was considered the most important aspect of NaviCare/SoinsNavi and both clients and staff felt this role was successfully implemented. NaviCare/SoinsNavi staff expressed the need to focus more on the centre’s research program. NaviCare/SoinsNavi staff also felt that efforts towards integrated care could be improved by building stakeholder relationships to inform practice and policy. It is hoped this process evaluation will be valuable for others developing similar programs and services for children and youth.