Nurse Navigator Calls Help Patients Feel Ready for Cancer Visits

At the ONS Congress 2026, Elianna Tobin, an oncology nurse at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, presented findings on how integrating a dedicated Oncology Nurse Navigator (ONN) into new patient operations improved efficiency, scheduling accuracy and patient satisfaction for patients with colorectal or anal cancer.

The study evaluated a six-month initiative in which a dedicated ONN reviewed and triaged all new patients within the gastrointestinal oncology program. During the study period, the ONN completed 226 interventions, including genomics coordination, adding disciplines to care teams and escalating cases to providers. The ONN also facilitated patient phone calls and coordinated pre-visit imaging scans.

Survey findings showed that 87% of patients strongly agreed or agreed that they felt prepared for their consult visit and satisfied with the timeliness of their appointment. Additionally, 67% of providers reported patients were scheduled more appropriately, while all new patient coordinators surveyed said they felt more supported and confident in scheduling patients.

In an interview with CURE, Tobin said that one of the most meaningful interventions is personally connecting with patients before their first visit.

Transcript

What are the most common pre-visit interventions you perform that help a patient feel ready for that first meeting?

Honestly, I feel like just reaching out to them and giving them that initial call, saying that a nurse, a clinical person, reviewed their chart, made sure they were seeing the right discipline and that they were fully ready for their appointment. No matter what intervention we’re doing, patients are so appreciative of not feeling like just a number in the hospital and really feeling like their care is personalized.

Those check-in phone calls make a big difference. Patients are also very appreciative when we let them know there is further imaging they might need, so they don’t have to keep coming back and forth. When they come in for that visit, they can get answers right away.

References

1. “Enhancing Non-Clinical Support: Integrating a Dedicated Nurse Navigator into New Patient Operations” by Elianna Tobin, BSN, RN, OCN, ONS Congress 2026.

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