Patient Navigation has emerged as a rapidly growing and evolving as a dynamic healthcare profession, drawing its roots from the ground breaking study conducted by Dr. Harold Freeman in 1995.
Patient Navigation in oncology in India was the brainchild of Dr. Rajendra Badwe, Director TMC. The idea germinated in 2017, when talks for commencing an academic program in Patient Navigation were initiated by Tata Memorial Centre (TMC) in collaboration with the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), with support from the Tata Trusts to develop an encompassing curriculum. The specialized training in both clinical and psychosocial aspects of care along with hands-on practical learning from experts in their specialized clinics in TMC, was envisaged to provide the navigators significant learning into identifying and resolving patient needs, advocating patient concerns, networking for mobilizing available resources and facilitating system improvements to enhance patient experience and improve overall satisfaction.
The one-year Post Graduate Diploma in Patient Navigation – Kevat academic program was formally launched in January 2018 by the Vice President of India, Mr.Venkaiah Naidu, with support from Tata Trusts. The first batch of students was inducted into the Patient Navigation Program in 2018.
Trained patient navigators commenced their journey in BBCI from 2019. The strength of navigators grew from one in 2019 to six in 2023. A dedicated Kevat counselling room was facilitated for the team of patient navigators on the OPD building (1st floor, Room no 116)
The patient navigators can be identified wearing a dark blue blazer with a symbol of a boat at the back (Known as Kevats or margdarshaks) that will help patients identify them in the crowded hospital.
