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IntroductionPatient navigation is recommended by accrediting bodies such as the Commission on Cancer and is a key element in payment reform demonstration projects, due to the established benefits in reducing barriers to healthcare, improving care coordination and reducing healthcare utilisation. However, oncology practices are often resource constrained and lack the capacity to extend navigation services at the desired intensity for their patient population. The American Cancer Society (ACS) developed the ACS Community Access to Resources, Education, and Support (CARES) programme to expand navigation capacity through the training of students from local universities as volunteers to serve as non-clinical navigators to support cancer patients. Although this approach has great potential for scalability, the best approach to early implementation and impact of volunteer navigation remains unclear.Methods and analysisThis pragmatic single-arm pre-post study evaluates the implementation and effectiveness of volunteer navigation for patients participating in the 2023-2024 pilot. This study will use data collected during routine care for quantitative implementation and patient outcomes. The Updated Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research will guide evaluation of early programme implementation with three initial pilot sites. This pragmatic evaluation of real-world implementation of volunteer navigation in the oncology setting will support future efforts to scale-up this intervention across US health systems.Ethics and disseminationThis study was approved by University of Morehouse School of Medicine Social and Behavioral (IRB), which served as the IRB for record for this project (IRB-2025819-2). No consent required for this study protocol. ACS CARES plans to disseminate this model and include additional sites as participants in future years.

Introduction: Remote symptom monitoring (RSM) allows patients to electronically self-report symptoms to their healthcare team for individual management. Clinical trials have demonstrated overarching benefits; however, little is known regarding patient-perceived benefits and limitations of RSM programs used during patient care., Methods: This prospective qualitative study from December 2021 to May 2023 included patients with cancer participating in standard-of-care RSM at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) in Birmingham, AL, and the Univeristy of South Alabama (USA) Health Mitchell Cancer Institute (MCI) in Mobile, AL. Semi-structured interviews focused on patient experiences with and perceptions surrounding RSM participation. Interviews occurred over the phone, via digital videoconference, or in person, at the convenience of the patient. Grounded theory was used to conduct content coding and identify recurring themes and exemplary quotes using NVivo., Results: Forty patients (20 UAB, 20 MCI) were interviewed. Participants were predominately female (87.5%), aged 41-65 (50%), and married (57.5%). Data is consistent with local demographics, comprising mainly White (72.5%) and 27.5% Black individuals. Three main themes emerged regarding perceived benefits of RSM: (1) Facilitation of Proactive Management , identifying the patient's needs and intervening earlier to alleviate symptom burden; (2) Promotion of Symptom Self-Management , providing patients autonomy in their cancer care; and (3) Improvement in Patient-Healthcare Provider Relationships , fostering genuine connections based on healthcare team's responses. However, participants also noted Perceived Limitations of RSM ; particularly when support of symptom management was unnecessary, ineffective, or felt impersonal., Conclusion: This study focused on patient experiences when utilizing a RSM program while undergoing treatment for cancer and found benefits to its implementation that extended beyond symptom management. At the same time, patients noted drawbacks experienced during RSM, which can help with future tailoring of RSM programs. Patient perceptions should be regularly assessed and highlighted for successful and sustained implementation., Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe author(s) declared the following potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: Dr. Stover has received unrelated research funding in the past two years from non-profit organizations [PCORI, NIH, AHRQ, Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network, Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association, Cancer and Aging Research Group (CARG), and the American Society of Clinical Oncology] and for-profit organizations [Sivan Innovation, UroGen Pharma Ltd., and Pfizer Global]). Dr. Basch has received payments as a scientific advisor for Navigating Cancer, AstraZenenca, Resilience, N-Power Medicine, and Verily). Dr. Rocque: Research/Contracts to Institution: Pfizer, Genetech, Armada, and Daiichi Sankyo and Consulting: Pfizer and Gilead). All other authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.