Margaret I Fitch

Prof. Margaret I Fitch

Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A1, Canada
orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

30Years (1997-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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1 January 2008 in Canadian Oncology Nursing Journal
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
MFMargaret I Fitch
Margaret I Fitch
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.

Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Jennifer JonesJennifer Jones
Jennifer Jones
MFMargaret I Fitch
Margaret I Fitch
JBJared Bongard
Jared Bongard
MMManjula Maganti
Manjula Maganti
AGAbha Gupta
Abha Gupta
CKChana Korenblum
Chana Korenblum
(1) Background: Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) who have been diagnosed with and treated for cancer have unique healthcare needs, but more research is needed to inform developmentally targeted cancer care for this population. The purpose of the current analyses was to describe the physical and psychosocial concerns and experiences of AYA cancer survivors during the post-treatment phase. (2) Methods: A national survey was conducted by the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer to evaluate the experiences and unmet needs of cancer survivors (≥18 years) within the first 5 years following cancer treatment. The current analyses were conducted on the AYA survivor population (18–34 years). (3) Results: A total of 575 surveys were completed by AYAs. Of these, 61% were female, 51% were married/partnered, and 52% were 1–3 years post treatment. Approximately three-quarters report their physical or emotional health as good/very good. Overall, 88% reported at least one physical concern [mean of 3.98+2.11 physical concerns (range 0–9)], 90% reported at least one emotional concern [mean of 3.77+1.75 emotional concern (range 0–6)], and 79% reported at least one practical challenge [mean of 2.39+1.28 practical concerns (range 0–5)]. The most common concerns were anxiety/worry about cancer returning (83%), fatigue/tiredness (78%), and depression/loss of interest in daily activities (66%). On average, 43% of those reporting a concern sought help. Common reasons for not seeking help included not wanting to ask, being told that it was normal to feel the way they did, or embarrassment. Of those who did seek help, 37% encountered difficulty obtaining assistance. (4) Conclusions: These results suggest that post-treatment AYA cancer survivors have a high rate and number of physical, psychosocial, and practical concerns and are often not seeking or receiving help to address these. Proactive approaches to characterizing and eliminating barriers to obtaining appropriate care are needed.

11 July 2020 in Supportive Care in Cancer
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
PDF file
Christopher J. LongoChristopher J. Longo
Christopher J. Longo
MFMargaret I Fitch
Margaret I Fitch
LBLaura Banfield
Laura Banfield
PHPaul A. Hanly
Paul A. Hanly
KYK. Robin Yabroff
K. Robin Yabroff
LSLinda Sharp
Linda Sharp


15 September 2021 in Supportive Care in Cancer
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
PDF file
YCYin Ting Cheung
Yin Ting Cheung
ACAlexandre Chan
Alexandre Chan
ACAndreas Charalambous
Andreas Charalambous
HDH. S. Darling
H. S. Darling
LELawson Eng
Lawson Eng
RCRaymond J. Chan
Raymond J. Chan

5 February 2019 in Psycho-Oncology
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
PDF file
MFMargaret I Fitch
Margaret I Fitch
INIrene Nicoll
Irene Nicoll