The health care system can be complicated, confusing, and difficult for even experienced clinicians to navigate. It can be almost impossible for patients; hence the need for a navigator. The concept of Patient Navigation was conceived in 1990 by Dr. Harold Freeman as a method to help poor cancer patients receive the care they needed. Now, navigators help all types of patients with the logistics of their healthcare: making sure they understand the information given to them, helping them make follow up appointments, and fill out forms. Patient navigation is not only beneficial to the patient, but to the health care organization. In one study, each patient navigator increased hospital revenue by $150,000 by improving patient outcomes.

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