OU Program Reduces Cancer Care Barriers for Indigenous Patients

Researchers at the University of Oklahoma Health Campus have initiated a program aimed at reducing cancer care disparities faced by Indigenous communities in Oklahoma. This pilot initiative has successfully decreased missed appointments among participating patients by nearly half, from 19% to 11%, while also providing essential financial support for travel needs.

Historically, Indigenous Oklahomans have encountered significant challenges in accessing cancer care. The Indian Health Service (IHS), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, oversees health services for American Indians and Alaska Natives. However, the IHS system often suffers from chronic underfunding, limiting the availability of specialty services such as cancer care. When these services are not accessible, patients must rely on the IHS Purchased/Referred Care program, which has strict funding limitations and authorization requirements for referrals.

The program aims to facilitate patient navigation through the complex landscape of cancer care. Established in 2012, the American Indian Navigation Program at the Stephenson Cancer Center has already served over 4,463 Indigenous patients from 65 different tribes. The program helps patients transition from tribal health facilities to the cancer center, ensuring they receive necessary authorizations for treatment and diagnostic procedures.

The recent pilot program, funded by the American Cancer Society, ran from July 2023 to February 2025 and involved direct engagement with 128 patients. It provided one-on-one interactions with nurse navigators who assessed financial hardships, psychosocial needs, distress levels, and adherence to treatment protocols. The results revealed a notable increase in depression screenings from 72% to 100%, underscoring the program’s comprehensive approach to patient care.

Amanda Janitz, an associate professor of epidemiology at the OU Hudson College of Public Health and a member of the Choctaw Nation, expressed the importance of addressing communication barriers. “There were a lot of times frustrations and communication challenges here at the cancer center, also at the tribal health facilities,” she stated. “So we decided to continue moving this work forward.”

The pilot program also facilitated regular virtual meetings between navigators and tribal case managers to address specific patient issues, proving to be beneficial in enhancing communication.

Looking ahead, researchers plan to expand these efforts under a new initiative called the Care Coordination and Communication Program in Oncology for Tribal Health Systems. This project is supported by a substantial $17.2 million grant from the National Institutes of Health, focusing on cancer prevention, screening, and care coordination.

The new program will feature virtual “huddles” where clinicians from the Stephenson Cancer Center and referral facilities can discuss treatment plans. Navigators and case managers will also collaborate to tackle psychosocial needs and any referral obstacles. Janitz noted that this collaborative approach is expected to enhance the quality of care for Indigenous patients significantly.

As part of a larger clinical trial set to launch next year, participants will be randomized to receive either these huddles or standard navigation services. Regardless of their group, all patients will ultimately benefit from enhanced support services.

“What I really like about these types of research projects is that we can see improvements for patients very quickly,” Janitz remarked. “We’re working directly with patients who are undergoing cancer treatment, and we are providing them with some resources in terms of this enhanced navigation that we expect to be beneficial.”

The ongoing commitment to improving access and reducing disparities in cancer care for Indigenous Oklahomans is a significant step towards ensuring equitable health services for all communities.