University of Wisconsin–Madison ⋅ Medical College of Wisconsin
WMJ

The Impact of a Community Resource Navigator Program on Patient Trust

Alex Bryant, BS; Aria Walsh-Felz, MA, MPH, CPH; Jill Jacklitz, MSW; Sara Lindberg, PhD

WMJ. 2020;119(3):190-193.

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ABSTRACT

Background: Addressing patients’ nonmedical needs has become a focal point in primary care research and practice. Programs such as the Center for Patient Partnerships’ Community Resource Navigator Program address social determinants of health by connecting participants to community-based resources in an effort to ameliorate unmet social needs.

Methods: Twenty-six interviews were conducted with program participants to assess improvements in social needs and trust with the health care system as a result of the program.

Results: Program participants reported increased trust in their provider or health system, improved health, and confidence in self-advocacy.

Discussion: Findings suggest that in addition to providing crucial support to address participants’ unmet social needs, navigation programs have the added benefit of enhancing their relationship with the clinic and health system.

Author Affiliations: University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wis (Bryant); University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute, Madison, Wis (Walsh-Felz, Lindberg); Center for Patient Partnerships, Madison, Wis (Jacklitz).
Corresponding Author: Alex Bryant, BS, MD-MPH Candidate 2021, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, 750 Highland Ave, Madison, WI 53726; phone 414.708.4399; email abbryant@wisc.edu; ORCID ID 0000-0002-5922-6819.
Funding/Support: This work was made possible with funding from the Shapiro Summer Research Program, the David and Mary Anderson Foundation, and the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health from the Wisconsin Partnership Program. The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official positions of the funding organizations.
Financial Disclosures: None declared.
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