Hands-On Navigation Helps Primary Care Patients Access Services Better Than Helpline
Primary care patients who worked with a dedicated navigator were significantly more likely to access needed health and social services than those directed to a free information helpline, according to a study.
Providence, R.I. – Patients receiving primary care who engaged with a dedicated navigator achieved significantly higher rates of accessing necessary health and social services compared to patients who were merely directed to a free information helpline. This finding is detailed in a randomized controlled trial published in the Annals of Family Medicine.
The study compared two distinct approaches aimed at assisting primary care patients in finding and utilizing available resources. One group of patients was provided with information via a telephone helpline. In contrast, the other group benefited from a personal navigator who actively assisted them in identifying and connecting with the relevant services.
Results indicated that patients in the navigator group were more successful in obtaining the assistance they required, spanning social support services like housing aid or food assistance, as well as healthcare-related support. The researchers suggest this highlights the critical role of personalized support in navigating complex healthcare systems.
The randomized controlled trial was conducted by a team of healthcare professionals in Providence. Its objective was to determine the most effective method for improving patient access to the extensive network of health and social services, which can otherwise be underutilized due to complexity.