Oncology Nurse Navigation: Expansion of the Navigator Role Through Telehealth

Residents of communities without local access to clinical oncology care face significant challenges that can be addressed through the use of technology. Teleoncology uses secure, interactive video- and audioconferencing and telephone communication to remotely deliver quality cancer care.This article introduces the role of the oncology nurse navigator (ONN) as a collaborative caregiver and virtual resource for patients and teleoncology providers.The literature on telehealth, nurse navigation, and teleoncology was reviewed to describe the ONN role and its integration with eHealth technologies.As a member of the interprofessional provider team, the ONN works collaboratively with patients and their family members and serves as a virtual resource. The ONN also provides clinical communication among clinical oncology providers and support staff. The ONN supports eHealth as a method of providing clinical care to patients close to their homes.