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USING A MIXED-METHODS CASE STUDY DESIGN TO EXPLORE, EVALUATE, AND ENHANCE A CANCER PATIENT NAVIGATOR PROGRAM

Curtis, LaShawn Marie (2008) USING A MIXED-METHODS CASE STUDY DESIGN TO EXPLORE, EVALUATE, AND ENHANCE A CANCER PATIENT NAVIGATOR PROGRAM. Doctoral Dissertation, University of Pittsburgh. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

Background: Successful strategies for addressing inequalities in cancer care are greatly needed as critical racial/ethnic and socioeconomic cancer burden disparities persist in the United States. Patient navigation programs are a promising approach to reducing cancer care disparities. Methods: A mixed-methods evaluation was conducted to systematically collect, analyze and share information about the context, activities, and early impacts of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Cancer Centers' Minority Outreach Pilot Program (MOPP), a newly implemented cancer patient navigator intervention. The dissertation applies and integrates two evaluation frameworks: 1) the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Framework for Program Evaluation, which provides an organizing structure and standards for conducting sound public health program evaluation, and 2) the RE-AIM framework, which helps to focus the evaluation on issues that are both relevant to stakeholders and critical to assessing the public health impact and generalizability of interventions. The evaluation employs a case study design that includes qualitative (e.g., program document review and informal and semi-structured interviews) and quantitative (e.g., descriptive statistical analysis of program database) methods to examine MOPP development and implementation. Results: The MOPP evaluation provided valuable qualitative and quantitative data related to program implementation achievements and challenges. Additionally, the evaluation produced useful products (e.g., logic model and data reporting templates) and led to immediate small-scale enhancements (e.g., database modifications). Results from the program evaluation suggest that MOPP is generally being implemented as planned. However, findings also called attention to key issues that should be monitored closely within the MOPP program, and, perhaps, within the larger patient navigation movement. These key issues include: the challenges of effectively navigating patients with substance abuse and the need to address the emotional burden of patient navigator work. Conclusion: The public health significance of the evaluation lies in its potential to strengthen MOPP's impact on reducing cancer care disparities in the UPMC patient population. In addition, publication of the evaluation research will contribute to the growing evidence base for cancer patient navigator interventions and address the need to develop the literature on patient navigation.


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Details

Item Type: University of Pittsburgh ETD
Status: Unpublished
Creators/Authors:
CreatorsEmailPitt UsernameORCID
Curtis, LaShawn Marielashawncurtis@yahoo.com
ETD Committee:
TitleMemberEmail AddressPitt UsernameORCID
Committee ChairTrauth, Jeanettetrauth@pitt.eduTRAUTH
Committee MemberButler, Jamesjbutler9@pitt.eduJBUTLER9
Committee MemberRobertson, Lyn Brobertsonlk@upmc.eduLYNNPCI
Committee MemberDocumét, Patricia Ipdocumet@pitt.eduPDOCUMET
Committee MemberGoodman, Robert Mrmg@indiana.edu
Date: 28 September 2008
Date Type: Completion
Defense Date: 23 July 2008
Approval Date: 28 September 2008
Submission Date: 1 August 2008
Access Restriction: No restriction; Release the ETD for access worldwide immediately.
Institution: University of Pittsburgh
Schools and Programs: School of Public Health > Behavioral and Community Health Sciences
Degree: DrPH - Doctor of Public Health
Thesis Type: Doctoral Dissertation
Refereed: Yes
Uncontrolled Keywords: cancer patient navigation; program evaluation; translation
Other ID: http://etd.library.pitt.edu/ETD/available/etd-08012008-042942/, etd-08012008-042942
Date Deposited: 10 Nov 2011 19:55
Last Modified: 19 Dec 2016 14:36
URI: http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/8796

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