Project Team

Spine Surgery Patient Navigators (2023-2024)
The Spine Surgery Patient Navigators project team
The Spine Surgery Patient Navigators project team

Team profile by members of the Spine Surgery Patient Navigators project team

Overview

The recovery process following spine surgery is both physically and mentally taxing for patients. Significant sociodemographic disparities exist in access to spine surgery and postoperative outcomes, with low-income, older, and non-White patients generally experiencing worse outcomes. To address these disparities and better support patients undergoing spine surgery at Duke Health, our team developed the innovative Spine Surgery Patient Navigators program.

Research Question

Our research sought to determine how a patient navigator program could improve access to services and outcomes for spine surgery patients. Specifically, we aimed to enhance healthcare access and resource utilization, expand patients’ social support networks and improve postoperative mobility and physical status.

Team members gather for dinner together.
Team members gather for dinner together.

Team Structure

Our multidisciplinary team consisted of nine undergraduate students, seven medical students, faculty members and collaborative partners. We designed and implemented the patient navigator program to support patients through their spine surgery journey.

Key Research Findings

Our patient navigator program has demonstrated value in supporting spine surgery patients peri-operatively. Patients report high levels of anxiety pre-operatively; however, patient navigators may help alleviate this distress.

Moreover, patient navigators play a crucial role in connecting patients to healthcare resources such as MyChart, enhancing access to vital information and support. This year, we enrolled 19 patients in the program, with 12 patient navigators providing assistance. The patients had an average age of 65 years and included 11 women and eight men.

Our significant findings include:

  • Reduction in Distress Levels: We observed a remarkable 50% reduction in reported distress levels among patients from preoperative to postoperative surveys, highlighting the positive impact of the program on patients’ mental well-being.
  • Patient Satisfaction: A substantial 75% of patients expressed satisfaction with the program and a willingness to recommend it to others, underscoring the effectiveness of our approach in meeting patient needs and expectations.
  • Improved Surgical Experience: 63% of patients credited the program with improving their overall experience with spine surgery, emphasizing the program’s role in enhancing patient outcomes and satisfaction.

Program Innovation

  • The program provided individualized support, connection to resources and postoperative mobility aid to 19 patients.
  • Undergraduate students gained experience in patient interaction, clinical shadowing and systematic reviews.
  • Medical student team leads developed clinical, communication and leadership skills, achieving research productivity with a first-author publication and multiple presentations.
Photo collage of team members giving presentations.
Team members deliver presentations at conferences and at stakeholder meetings

Team Accomplishments

Papers

  • 1 scoping review
  • 2 systematic reviews
  • 1 perspective paper

Presentations

  • 4 abstracts accepted for podium presentations and 5 abstracts accepted for poster presentations at organizations including Root Causes Gala, Southern Orthopaedic Association, Eastern Orthopaedic Association, and North Carolina Spine Society.
  • Presentations at Duke Neurosurgery Grand Rounds and Duke Patient Advocacy Group.

Awards and Acknowledgments

  • North Carolina Albert Schweitzer Fellowship
  • Robert Gladden Orthopaedic Society Zimmer Biomet Foundation Research Grant
  • Duke Orthopaedic Surgery Research Day
    • Undergraduate Research Student Category Award
    • Moorman Award
Team members with their research poster and presentation award.
Left: Dana Rowe with one of the team’s research posters; Right: Cristal Ortiz with her award in the Undergraduate Research Student Category at the Duke Orthopaedic Surgery Departmental Research Day and Symposium

Reflections on Team Successes and Challenges

Our team experienced numerous successes, including high patient satisfaction, effective reduction of distress levels and significant research outputs. Key to our success was the multidisciplinary collaboration that leveraged diverse expertise. Challenges included coordinating across different student levels and ensuring consistent patient engagement amidst busy academic schedules. Nevertheless, the positive patient feedback and substantial academic contributions highlight the program’s value and impact.

The Spine Surgery Patient Navigators project team at the 2024 Fortin Foundation Bass Connections Showcase.
The Spine Surgery Patient Navigators project team at the 2024 Fortin Foundation Bass Connections Showcase

Spine Surgery Patient Navigators

Poster by Antoinette J. Charles, Dana Rowe, Cristal Ortiz, Julian Diaz-Ayala, Mariana Bouchan, Kristina Schaufele, Advika Kumar, Disha Jotsinghani, Nathan Strang, Avery Bernazard, Jennifer Smith, Jacqueline Emerson and Emily Luo

Research poster.

Support at Every Step: Spine Surgery Patient Navigators Enhance Quality of Care

Poster by Dana Rowe, Antoinette J. Charles, Jacqueline Emerson, Emily Luo, Alissa Arango, Edwin Owolo, Kristina Schaufele, Avery Bernazard, Mariana Bouchan, Julian Diaz-Ayala, Advika Kumar, Disha Jotsinghani, Cristal Ortiz, Nathan Strang, Jennifer Smith, Rory Goodwin and Melissa M. Erickson

Research poster.