Tata Memorial Centre in collaboration with Tata Institute of Social Sciences and supported by Tata Trusts, has introduced Kevat- an advanced diploma in patient navigation which is a specialized academic programme in cancer-care.

This course is one of the first in India to focus on an emerging patient navigation model that can be applied across all cancer care institutions.

Health care system is fragmented, uncoordinated, and complex for patients and families. The main role of patient navigators is to guide patients through the health care system thereby ensuring that they receive timely effective and efficient care.

They help patients and their families understand diagnoses, treatment options, and available resources. By assisting all sections of society, particularly vulnerable populations, overcome barriers to health care access and bridge gaps in transitions of care, patient navigators can effectively contribute towards an efficient, equitable, and patient-centered health care system.

The course is meant for healthcare professionals seeking a career transition into patient navigation, health administration or health allied professionals interested in expanding their scope of practice to include patient navigation, individuals seeking to join the healthcare field as a patient navigator, current social workers, support groups and NGO’s seeking a deeper understanding of their role and responsibilities, clinicians or caregivers interested in learning about patient navigation.

The course helps participants understand the emerging patient navigation role and how it applies to various health care and social services settings, become knowledgeable about the current health care climate and structure, including transitions of care, understand how to communicate effective with patients and families in a way that maintains dignity, autonomy, and confidentiality, learn how to engage with patients and families in meaningful and productive discussion, i.e. – be able to identify what can be done to improve patient experience and how to reconcile differences between what patients want and what health providers believe is right for them, acquire skills to assess patient needs and outcomes, and evaluate your own patient navigation practice, understand confidentiality protocols, ethics in care, advanced directives, patient rights, etc.

Any graduate/post graduate with a degree from a recognized institute/university and minimum 50% marks, preferably in medical social work, sociology, psychology or public health can pursue the one year course. Following the successful completion of the first six months of course, students will graduate to a 6 months internship with a monthly stipend of Rs.15,000.

The total course fee is Rs.18,000. Outstation candidates will be considered for accommodation (on twin-sharing basis) based on availability and subsistence allowance may be provided.