Patient navigator training for sexual orientation and gender identity data collection at an NCI-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center.

backgroundPatient navigators have a range of training, lived experience, and empathy to draw on when working with patients facing breast cancer diagnoses. We examined the knowledge and impact of sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) data training for patient navigators who work with individuals with a diagnosis of breast cancer.

methodsWe offered a 2-hour SOGI data training to patient navigators working with individuals with known breast cancer diagnoses. This training was preceded by a pretest to gauge work experience, and initial knowledge of SOGI issues and comfort with LGBTQ+ populations. Following the training, we conducted one-on-one qualitative interviews of open-ended questions with each participant in lieu of a posttest.

resultsFive patient navigators participated in the training. The participants work experience in medical clinics ranged from 2 to 30 years (mean = 15.8 years), and in oncology clinics from 2 to 18 years (mean = 10.4 years). Participants had a median rating of "somewhat comfortable" for comfort with populations who are sexual minorities or whose gender identity is different than their own, and a median rating of "absolutely comfortable" for comfort with collecting SOGI data. Qualitative interviews illuminated that all the participants requested either a much longer training session or multiple training sessions to delve deeper into specific topics. Topics requested include specific sessions on each of the populations under the LGBTQ+ umbrella, as well as intersectionality for understanding social inequality.

conclusionsThis study supports previous research showing the importance of patient navigator training for diverse populations, especially LGBTQ+ populations. We add to the research focused on oncology settings, and more specifically, breast cancer clinics. Overall, the patient navigators practicing in this highly academic setting were knowledgeable and comfortable working with LGBTQ+ populations yet yearned to learn more. Adding an intersectional perspective during the training helped the participants connect this issue of patient equity with other issues, which was powerful for them. This training can be expanded to include patient navigators with community experience or working in other types of medical settings, to patient navigators working with individuals with diagnoses of other tumor types, and to clinicians.