A Culturally Informed Patient Navigation Program (CFPN) to Reduce Delays Between Diagnosis and Treatment in American Indian and Alaska Native Cancer Patients Living in Rural California
Developing a Culturally Informed Patient Navigation Program to Reduce Delays From Diagnosis to Treatment for Native Americans in a Rural Setting
University of Southern California
71 participants
Apr 17, 2026
INTERVENTIONAL
Conditions
Summary
This clinical trial develops and tests whether a culturally informed patient navigation program, Community-Focused Patient Navigation (CFPN), works to reduce delays between diagnosis and treatment in American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) cancer patients living in rural California. AIAN communities face some of the most severe cancer disparities in the United States, including higher death rates, later-stage diagnoses, and limited access to timely, culturally responsive care. This may be due to barriers such as rural isolation, divided referral systems, or a lack of trust in mainstream healthcare systems. Patient navigation is a care delivery model designed to guide a patient through the healthcare system and address the barriers that prevent patients from accessing timely and effective care. The CFPN program is culturally tailored and designed with AIAN communities in mind. The program provides the patient with a treatment plan based on the patient's unique needs, goals, and barriers. This may be an effective way to reduce delays between diagnosis and treatment in AIAN cancer patients living in rural California.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria15
- CAB: Self-identify as AIAN or have experience working with the AIAN community
- CAB: Are 18 years or older
- CAB: Live within Toiyabe Indian Health Program (TIHP) catchment area(s)
- CAB: Are either a cancer patient/survivor/caregiver and/or a family member of an individual(s) affected by cancer, OR a Board member (ex: Tribal Health Board or Elders Board)
- FOCUS GROUP: Self-identify as AIAN or a family member of an AIAN individual affected by cancer
- FOCUS GROUP: Are 18 years or older
- FOCUS GROUP: Live within TIHP catchment area(s)
- FOCUS GROUP: Are either a cancer patient/survivor/caregiver and/or a family member of an individual(s) affected by cancer, OR a Board member (ex: Tribal Health Board or Elders Board)
- KII: Be a TIHP healthcare staff member
- KII: Be 18 years or older
- KII: Work with AIAN cancer patients in TIHP catchment area
- CFPN PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION: Have any type of cancer, are in any treatment stage along the cancer continuum
- CFPN PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION: Self-identify as AIAN or be a TIHP patient
- CFPN PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION: Live in the TIHP service area
- CFPN PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION: Receive cancer-related services from TIHP
Exclusion Criteria3
- FOCUS GROUP: Individual with no experience with cancer either as a patient or know someone who is/was a cancer patient at TIHP
- CFPN PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION: Not a TIHP patient
- CFPN PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION: Does not currently have cancer or has not previously had cancer
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Interventions
Serve on CAB
Complete focus group
Receive opioid misuse education and care coordination
Ancillary studies
Complete KII
Ancillary studies
Engage with CFPN program navigator
Ancillary studies
Receive treatment plan
Locations(2)
View Full Details on ClinicalTrials.gov
For the most up-to-date information, visit the official listing.
NCT07332312