Pioneering Whole-Person Cancer Care

Integrative Oncology Patient Navigation at Smith Center

In the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare, the importance of personalized patient support cannot be overstated. Smith Center, always at the forefront of patient-centric care, has emerged as a beacon of hope with its innovative Integrative Oncology Patient Navigation program. As the medical community increasingly acknowledges the multidimensional needs of cancer patients, Smith Center stands with a long history of offering whole-person support.

Understanding Integrative Oncology Patient Navigation

Before delving into the specifics of our program, let’s demystify what “Patient Navigation” truly means. At its core, traditional oncology patient navigation is a support mechanism designed to guide cancer patients through the intricate maze of medical care. This involves helping patients understand their diagnosis, treatment options, assisting with barriers, and finding resources.

Integrative Oncology Patient Navigation takes this a step further – it is a patient-centered, whole-person model that reduces barriers to cancer care and provides education, guidance, and support to patients and their caregivers across the cancer continuum. Additionally, Integrative Navigation provides assistance in the responsible selection and use of appropriate, evidence-based complementary approaches alongside conventional medical treatment. 

Smith Center’s Approach to Patient Navigation

Smith Center’s Integrative Oncology Patient Navigation model supports timely access to successful completion of medical treatment and uses a “patient-honored” approach to navigation. The Institute of Medicine’s 2008 report, Cancer Care for the Whole Patient asserts that “it is not possible to deliver good quality cancer care without using existing approaches, tools, and resources to address patients’ psychosocial health needs.”

At Smith Center, we insist on an integrative medicine approach incorporating psycho-social factors so that the needs of each individual are acknowledged and factored into every decision affecting their care. We are committed that every patient is supported physically, emotionally, and spiritually at every step of the cancer continuum—from diagnosis through treatment to survivorship.