Navigating the healthcare system is a challenge, especially for those whose primary language is not English. In 2010, LCC piloted the first Spanish language patient navigation program at the Sobrato Cancer Center in the public health care hospital (Santa Clara Valley Medical Center) in San Jose, CA.
Since then, we have navigated over 400 Spanish-speaking patients with 40 different cancers. They are provided with interpretation and translation, medication and treatment adherence support, home and hospital visits, social service resources, aide with transportation, food, bras, wigs, prosthesis, lymphedema sleeves and funeral costs among other services. 54 of the 97 patients, who died between 2010 and 2015, were navigated into hospice services.
In 2015 LCC conducted a satisfaction survey of 750 English and Spanish speaking Latino cancer patients and their caregivers. We received a 43% return rate.
The final report and results from that survey will be disseminated here in early 2016.
To read more Patient Navigation stories, please click here.
If you’re interested in learning more about LCC’s patient navigator program, please contact Claudia Colindres at PatientNavigator@latinascontracancer.org or call 408-280-0811.
