The impact of a nurse navigation program on health, economic and medical outcomes of cancer patients in Saxony - a multicenter, prospective, randomized controlled trial

Background

Cancer patients frequently experience complex psychosocial and informational needs that are challenging to address within fragmented healthcare environments, resulting in care inefficiencies and patient distress. Nurse navigation programs aim to provide structured, continuous coordination. This randomized controlled trial evaluated the effect of a nurse navigator program ("Onkolotse") on hospitalization rates, health-related quality of life, psychological burden, and direct hospital costs in Saxony, Germany.