The program is continuing for the duration of the grant funding and at this time we will likely need to seek mechanisms for additional support to continue the work that has been started, as well as to consider measurement of outcomes that are meaningful to the institutions in which the program is housed in order to become more sustainable internally.
Patient navigation is an acceptable and feasible way to enhance the care for adults with SCD and can help to bridge systems of clinical care, support and resources. Our program can serve as a model for similar patient populations with orphan chronic diseases that have both primary care and subspecialty needs that have both distinct and overlapping roles. Sustainability is a crucial issue to address and the use of outcome measures that can accurately reflect both successes and challenges of program implementation will be important to share with institutional leaders.
Corresponding author: Linda S. Overholser, MD, MPH, 12631 E 17th Ave., Mail Stop B180, Academic Office 1, Aurora, CO 80045, linda.overholser@ucdenver.edu.