To assist patients and family members through the cancer-care journey, some Texas Health hospitals offer patient navigation to guide patients from a cancer diagnosis through treatment, rehabilitation and survivorship.

Oncology nurse navigators are available to guide and support patients throughout their treatment journey. Nurse navigators provide information on resources and plans of care.

Texas Health Dallas, in conjunction with Texas Oncology and Cancer Support Community, is proud to offer a unique survivorship navigation program that aids in survivors’ achievement of their optimal quality of life by focusing on mitigating the psychosocial and emotional health and quality of life challenges faced by cancer survivors.

Our cancer resource specialist, a master’s level licensed social worker, assesses and refers survivors to appropriate resources that remove these barriers. They help facilitate access to services. They may assist with care coordination, provide general survivor education, and empower survivors to optimize time with clinicians and seek appropriate follow-up care.

For more information about the survivorship navigation program or to contact our cancer resource specialist, please call 214-345-8428.

The effects of cancer and its treatment can present unique challenges, which is why Texas Health offers social workers who can help patients and their families navigate the maze of medical, emotional and social services they may need as they cope with cancer.

Social workers provide education, support, and referrals to resources that can help meet patient and family needs. The process begins with a thorough assessment of the patient's situation and available oncology resources and then provides assistance with issues, including:

• Financial resources and assistance
• Medical equipment for home use
• Lodging and transportation
• Information and assistance with advance directives
• Finding nearby support groups and other support resources
• Transferring to rehabilitation services/skilled nursing care as appropriate
• Hospice care
• Other discharge planning needs
• Advocates for the patient, within the hospital and the community

Cancer Resource Centers are located at Texas Health Fort Worth and Texas Health Dallas. They contain a compilation of resources and information, provided by the American Cancer Society (ACS), Cancer Support Community North Texas, as well as resources collected by the physicians on the medical staff, nurses and affiliates of Texas Health, providing patients, families and the community with access to a wealth of information.

Trained volunteers are available to speak to patients and families about a wide variety of resources available to them through the ACS, Cancer Support Community, and Texas Health Resources.

To help meet the pastoral and spiritual needs of patients and family members, a chaplain is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Chaplains understand how life is different after a cancer diagnosis and can visit patients daily.

Chaplains also offer a pastoral presence through prayer, encouragement and a listening ear. With the patient's permission, the chaplain can also assist in locating the patient's own clergy or a member of their faith community.