Supportive care framework

Abstract

The Supportive Care Framework for Cancer Care was originally formulated in 1994 (Fitch, 1994). The framework was designed as a tool for cancer care professionals and program managers to conceptualize what type of help cancer patients might require and how planning for service delivery might be approached. The framework has been presented in various arenas and the number of requests has been growing for a wider distribution of a full description of the framework. The purpose of this article is to share the Supportive Care Framework for Cancer Care with the cancer nursing community. As a conceptual framework, it may be a useful tool for service or program planning, a basis to organize educational approaches in cancer care, or as a model underpinning research projects.

Filling in the gaps: Sociodemographic and medical predictors of sexual health and other supportive care needs, and desire for help in gynecological cancer survivors

“…In Part B, respondents are asked to rate their level of desire for help with each issue (when applicable) on a three-point scale that includes, "No, I do not want any help", "I feel uncertain about wanting help", and "Yes, I would like help". The item scores for parts A and B are clustered into scores for seven supportive care need domains, which were developed through factor analysis in previous studies (psychological, social, emotional, spiritual, information, practical, and physical needs; (Fitch, 2008). A sexuality domain (which exists in the original SCNS; Bonevski et al, 2000) was calculated using the mean of the four sexuality-related items on the SCNS-gyne.…”

“…Cancer centres are increasingly adopting holistic, patient-centred mandates (Gamel, Grypdonck, Hengeveld, & Davis, 2001); unfortunately, healthcare providers have little scientifically-based guidance as to how gynecological cancer patients' post-treatment needs should be evaluated and addressed to maximize the quality of their care. This problem can be addressed through use of the supportive care need framework, which encompasses physical, psychological, social, emotional, practical, spiritual, and informational needs (Fitch, 2008). The framework was developed as a tool for needs assessments and program planning and is a useful resource for education and model development.…”

Attitudes of Nurses toward Supportive Care for Advanced Cancer Patients

“…Supportive care is defined as the provision of the necessary services for those living with or affected by cancer to meet their physical, emotional, social, psychological, informational, spiritual and practical needs during the diagnostic, treatment, and follow-up phases, encompassing issues of survivorship, palliative care and bereavement (Fitch, 2008). The supportive care of patients with cancer improves patients' quality of life (Rosenbaum et al, 2004) and increases patients' survival rate (Alfano and Rowland, 2006).…”

mHealth Supportive Care Intervention for Parents of Children With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Quasi-Experimental Pre- and Postdesign Study (Preprint)

“…5 In 2000, Cancer Care Ontario (CCO) in Canada developed the Supportive Care Needs Framework (SCNF) and outlined seven domains of need, including practical, spiritual, social, psychological, informational, emotional, and physical needs. 6 SCNF was developed to help guide health professionals to meet the supportive care needs of cancer patients along the disease continuum. 6 A recent study found that parents of children with cancer have the needs for these aspects of supportive care: communication with physician, timely provision of information, and suitable and accessible psychosocial care.…”

“…6 SCNF was developed to help guide health professionals to meet the supportive care needs of cancer patients along the disease continuum. 6 A recent study found that parents of children with cancer have the needs for these aspects of supportive care: communication with physician, timely provision of information, and suitable and accessible psychosocial care. 7 Traditionally, support interventions for parents were delivered through face-to-face education and telephone follow-up.…”