Table 3.
Prioritised list of features for the patient navigator programme
| Features* | Description | Score† |
| *Delivery of education | Provide basic education about CKD Facilitate access to quality information |
35 |
| *Psychosocial support | Identify social support networks (family, friends, community groups) Identify and facilitate access to psychological and social services (counsellors, psychologists, social workers) |
35 |
| *Lifestyle modification | Encourage and support behaviour change (diet, exercise) | 16 |
| *Communication and decision-making support | Discuss potential questions patients/families can ask at their appointments Clarify goals and value in making treatment decisions |
15 |
| *Facilitating care (referrals, communication, coordination) | Facilitate referrals Schedule and coordinate appointments (GP, specialist care, allied health) Help in completing complex medical forms Provide support (to address concerns, fears) Provide reminders |
14 |
| *Medication | Encourage and support appropriate medicine-taking | 13 |
| ‡Maintaining independence and living life | Assist with continuing their lifestyle. Focus on activities patients can continue to do rather than limit | 5 |
| ‡Networking | Connect with other patients (peer support) support mentors | 5 |
| ‡Translating medical information into plain language | Assist with simplifying medical terminology and jargon | 5 |
| ‡Advocacy and education for family and friends | Education to support family and friends | 4 |
| ‘Lived experience’‡ | Navigators with lived experience would act as motivators for participating in the programme | 4 |
| *Appointment schedule | Schedule appointments | 3 |
| *Practical support | Explain the logistics (venue, parking) Arrange transportation Arrange childcare as needed Ask about the barriers and address them |
1 |
| *Cultural and language support | Arrange interpretation services | 1 |
| *Accompaniment | Accompany patients/caregivers at appointments | 0 |
| *Financial support | Identify needs and support for financial support (completing applications) | 0 |
| ‡Caregiver support | Support caregivers to balance burden of care with family responsibilities | 0 |
*Adapted from existing models and frameworks;16 26 and not mutually exclusive.
†Points calculated by adding the votes with their weighting where 1=3 points, 2=2 points and 3=1 point.
‡New features identified.
CKD, chronic kidney disease; GP, general practitioner.