Send us a Text Message. If you’re listening to this in real time, we are just days away from finding out the results of the 2024 ABPTS Oncology Specialty Certification exam. It can be so easy to hinge your future as an OncoPT on finding out these results. But your worth has absolutely nothing to do with this exam. Your value as an OncoPT isn’t tied…

Send us a Text Message. We are halfway through 2024: let’s check in. How are YOU (like for real)? How are things going? Where are you at, compared to where you want to be? No matter what your answers are, you're in the right place right now. In today's episode, we're diving into reflecting on your 2024 progress so far, how to reassess your goals & …

Send us a Text Message. Keeping home exercise programs (HEPs) fresh and exciting is key to maintaining patient motivation & adherence. BUT it’s easy for the HEP to take a back seat to all the other stuff you have to manage in patient care. That’s why we’re spicing up the HEP in this episode, with unique exercise & physical activity ideas. To inject…

Send us a Text Message. Summer is here, which means it’s time to DIVE IN! Just like the water might be cold when you first get in, it’s crucial to embrace the discomfort & challenges that come with cancer rehab if you’re ever going to get better at treating oncology patients. So are you going to just dip your toes in? Or are you going all in on you…

Send us a Text Message. BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo) is a common vestibular issue that affects people of all ages. BUT DID YOU KNOW there is significant crossover between BPPV and oncology? Yep - cancer treatments & even certain conditions we see in cancer rehab can increase your patient’s likelihood of developing BPPV. In this conve…

Send us a Text Message. OncoPT is not always the first career path for physical therapists - today’s guest included! From starting her career at the USDA to now pioneering cancer rehab in her area, Dr. Alyssa Carey, PT, shares her journey to specializing in OncoPT, plus the major decisions that transformed her career into what it is today. Listen f…

Send us a Text Message. Prostate cancer survivors sometimes fall into the gap between pelvic floor PT & OncoPT - who should be treating the patient & when? The short answer is all hands on deck, but Dr. Matthew Johnston, PT, breaks down exactly how to prioritize your patient’s impairments & which team your patient should see first. In today’s episo…

Send us a Text Message. Cancer rehab may not always be the first step on your PT journey - but that doesn’t mean you’re behind or you can’t become an expert clinician. Today’s guest is the PERFECT example of this: Melissa White began her PT career nowhere near oncology. But after she transitioned into pelvic floor therapy, she found herself treatin…

Send us a Text Message. Trauma-informed care is super trendy to talk about in health care right now, but what does it actually mean & how do we implement it into practice? This conversation with Dr. Adam Matichak emphasizes the importance of creating a safe & welcoming environment, through trauma-informed care, for patients to be seen, heard, & und…

Send us a Text Message. ICYMI the American Cancer Society estimates that 2,001,140 new cases of cancer will be diagnosed in 2024. While treatable & in some cases curable, cancer is becoming a bigger problem than we probably thought possible. Survivors are surviving longer, but at what cost…to their lives, their independence, their function, their m…

Send us a Text Message. Holistic care is such a buzz phrase in health care, but is it actually possible in today’s cancer rehab? The answer is a resounding yes, & Dr. Katie O’Bright shares exactly how in today’s podcast episode. Dr. Katie O’Bright is a leading voice in primary care PT (yes, it’s a thing & not new at all), & she breaks down common m…

Send us a Text Message. You’ve probably heard that oncology specialization is the best way to catapult your cancer rehab career - but what does this actually look like for a practicing clinician? Sheree King, a physical therapist specializing in oncology, shares her journey of opening a private practice and becoming a board-certified specialist in …

Send us a Text Message. Advocacy is inherently part of physical therapy (advocating for your patients, advocating with other health care professionals, etc.). We also need BIG ADVOCACY: advocating for your patients, for your profession, TO your elected officials. BUT - it doesn’t mean drop everything & hop on a flight to Washington D.C. Dr. Mercede…

Send us a Text Message. TW: This episode talks about grief, loss, depression, suicide, & mental health. If you’re not in the headspace to listen to this episode, no worries friend. I’ll see you next time. 💜💜💜 In this intimate & vulnerable episode with Dr. Jimmy McKay & Dr. Rebekah Griffith, we talk about our own experiences with loss & grief. We cr…

Send us a Text Message. As cancer survivorship improves, you WILL see more patients with chronic side effects & impairments. One of these side effects is chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). Unfortunately, CIPN can be challenging to treat, & much research still needs to be done to determine the best methods to treat CIPN. As today’s g…

Send us a Text Message. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this presentation reflect those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect those of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. Do you ever feel stuck treating neuropathy, like you’re hitting a brick wall? Same. Neuropathy can be challenging to address, but it’s very …

Send us a Text Message. If this podcast episode title got you fired up, GOOD. APTA CSM took place this weekend in Boston, & I have THOUGHTS. This was my favorite CSM thus far, but it also highlighted some major issues within our profession that need to be addressed. Let’s get into it. Writing your oncology specialty exam case report is a huge under…

Send us a Text Message. APTA CSM is to PT like Christmas is to Santa Claus - this is OUR TIME. In this special pre-CSM episode, we’re counting down our favorite things about #APTACSM, what you don’t want to miss at the conference, AND how to get your hands on our brand new Oncology Rehab: A Pocket Guide. Listen now! Writing your oncology specialty …

Send us a Text Message. We’re all about multidisciplinary care here at TheOncoPT. But sometimes the “how” of multidisciplinary care is challenging to implement. Should your patient see multiple disciplines at the same time? Should we stack appointments in one day? Or space them out? The cleanest answer is, it depends. But if you’re ready for a real…

Send us a Text Message. Cardiotoxicities are rampant in oncology, affecting patients during active treatment AND for the rest of their life. Now consider that many of your patients are moms…who were pregnant…& experienced the cardiovascular effects that commonly accompany pregnancy. TALK ABOUT A DOUBLE WHAMMY that we are totally glossing over in On…

Send us a Text Message. Oncology & emergency departments share a core experience: we treat very complicated patients. Physically...psychologically...socially...our patients face a lot. But what I think emergency department PT has really figured out is how to approach a variety of patients, with varying complexities, & still keep it simple. Drs. Reb…

Send us a Text Message. The countdown to #CSM2024 is on! This week, we’re highlighting a super important topic that often gets glossed over in cancer rehab: AYA Oncology. Speakers Scott Capozza, Dr. Eric Galvez, & Dr. Leanna Blanchard discuss the unique needs of the AYA population through their own perspectives as cancer survivors. Plus, you’ll bet…

Send us a Text Message. Tough conversations are a given in cancer rehab - there’s truly no way out of them. From the diagnosis of cancer to chronic impairments to financial toxicity, there’s a plethora of challenging topics that we MUST discuss with our patients. But why is it so hard??? In short, nobody likes delivering bad news. We got into healt…

Send us a Text Message. While the New Year may seem like the completely wrong time to discuss burnout, it’s actually more important than ever. Why? Because 2024 is just going to be another 2023…unless you do something about it. In our fast-paced world of healthcare, the demand for exceptional patient care often comes at a cost – the risk of burnout…

Send us a Text Message. 2023 - what a year. To send this year out with a bang, we’re covering highlights (& lows) from 2023, predictions for the new year, & some special birthday wishes from YOU to celebrate TheOncoPT’s 5th birthday! Join the waitlist for The Cancer Rehab Community Conference 2024 at TheOncoPT.com/waitlist To join The Cancer Rehab …

Send us a Text Message. Health care is ever-evolving, whether you like it or not. And if you’re going to practice smarter in 2024, you’ve got to shift your perspective. The big shift in question? Transcending the boundaries of care (aka how we’ve always done things) & step into a holistic approach for both your patients & you. This recap episode di…

Send us a Text Message. More than EVER, I am convinced of this one thing: We need more specialists in oncology physical therapy. Not that we need more people taking that 7 hour exam - we need oncology patient care SPECIALISTS, because more patients than ever are diagnosed with cancer & require specialized care. Run of the mill PT simply will not cu…

Send us a Text Message. It’s almost 2024 baby! In this episode, we’re reflecting on the importance of collaboration in cancer rehab and highlighting some of the most impactful moments from the podcast this year. The theme of collaboration is explored through interviews with various professionals, including physical therapists, oncology acupuncturis…

Send us a Text Message. The National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC) has some brand new updates that will go into effect in 2024. Here’s why they should matter to you: They’re all about exercise! Specifically, the updates clarify the requirements for pre-operative functional assessments & appropriate referrals to exercise programs …

Send us a Text Message. On November 11, 2023, I hosted the first EVER Cancer Rehab Community Conference. It’s still sinking in that I put together a whole conference with 11 mind-blowing speakers for over 100 registrants! After taking a few days to recover & process what happened at #TCRCC2023, it’s time to recap the experience, share our biggest t…

Send us a Text Message. As you know, collaboration is the name of the game in cancer rehab. While PT, OT, & speech therapy instantly come to mind, there’s actually quite a few more disciplines we’re not including in this collaboration. Including oncology acupuncture ⬇️ Oncology acupuncture has been around for a while, & many of your patients alread…

Send us a Text Message. Rehab is NOT well-integrated into advanced cancer care. But these patients need rehab EVEN MORE than many patients with early-stage cancer. November is Hospice & Palliative Care Month, so this is the perfect time to talk about a patient population very near & dear to my heart. Listen now! Writing your oncology specialty exam…

Send us a Text Message. Health care is sick. Obviously, we’re no strangers to illness. But health care as an industry, as a profession, as a vocation is sick. & will continue to get worse unless we implement real solutions. We’ve already seen other industries implement these solutions, & they’re working. It’s time to make it happen for real in heal…

Send us a Text Message. Two years ago, I attended a conference with a brand-new OncoPT, who was really excited for one session in particular. This session began with a speaker *LITERALLY* asking for feedback & ways to improve the section for members. But when my friend bravely raised her hand & vulnerably shared a challenge she was facing & asked f…

Send us a Text Message. Every once in a while, you're a part of a conversation that changes the entire trajectory of your career. This is one of them. Many of your patients are mothers, some even new mothers. So how does that affect your plan of care? Turns out, potentially A LOT. Pregnant & postpartum patients experience tremendous change to their…

Send us a Text Message. Every October, the pink wave of breast cancer awareness comes crashing in. Yet, this pink wave glosses over the fact that breast cancer kills more than 43,000 women every year. Meanwhile, metastatic breast cancer (the breast cancer that kills) receives so little attention, research focus, & funding. And this changes little, …

Send us a Text Message. It’s official! We are ONE MONTH away from The First-Ever Cancer Rehab Community Conference! We’ve been busy planning this event for months, & now I’m finally taking you behind the scenes on why The Cancer Rehab Community Conference is going to be the best conference experience you’ve ever had. Listen now for all the deets. A…

Send us a Text Message. If you’re like me, I thought I was finished with specialization stuff once I got my exam results. WRONG. Because that’s actually only the start. Maintaining your board certification is an ongoing process that demonstrates your commitment to continued learning & growth throughout your OncoPT career. Now that I’m actually goin…

Send us a Text Message. Prostate cancer is one of the most common diagnoses you’ll probably see as an OncoPT... So we’re long overdue for a prostate cancer deep dive. Today’s episode is the perfect recap on this all too common diagnosis, plus: 🔵Prostate cancer, by the numbers 🔵Treatment regimens for patients with prostate cancer 🔵How prostate cance…

Send us a Text Message. Palliative care is not the same as hospice. Period. While common, this misconception is problematic & is keeping your patients from getting truly comprehensive care throughout their cancer care journey. In today’s conversation with Dr. Lori Boright, we dive into what palliative care really means within oncology, how prehab &…

Send us a Text Message. September 30 is the final deadline for your ABPTS Oncology application. On today’s episode of the podcast, I’m answering your burning questions about the application process, your case report, & what to do when you get writer’s block. Plus, stay tuned for exciting news about an upcoming webinar that will take your case repor…

Send us a Text Message. Imagine feeling less stressed & less frustrated with your practice, because you know how to tackle any diagnosis, any impairment, any complicated patient case that comes your way. This isn’t a dream. This can totally be reality. Feeling confidently certain that you can address your patient’s impairments, no matter what diagn…

Send us a Text Message. September is a huge month for cancer awareness, including thyroid cancer. The good news is thyroid cancer is relatively uncommon, with a pretty decent survival rate. The bad news, it’s still cancer, & it may be on the rise. In this episode, we’re reviewing the basics of this lesser-known cancer, treatment options, & how your…

Send us a Text Message. Pelvic Floor Dysfunction (PFD) is an often silent yet prevalent issue that casts a shadow over the lives of many cancer survivors. Despite its high occurrence, PFD remains an undertreated facet of cancer rehabilitation, leaving patients to often silently suffer. Meet the OncoPT working to change this dismal reality: Dr. Alex…

Send us a Text Message. There’s a time & a place for hard truths in cancer rehab. But “tough love” can sometimes cross the line into cruelty for our patients. Cancer is taxing in every realm of a patient’s existence; the last thing they need is for their rehab professional to be cruel in the name of blunt honesty or “just telling it like it is.” As…

Send us a Text Message. While cancer can affect anyone, the Adolescent & Young Adult (AYA) patient population can experience heightened distress & challenges compared to other age groups. However, these issues are frequently overlooked & underserved, leading to potentially lifelong challenges. Worse yet, these patients often discuss being “dropped …

Send us a Text Message. In cancer rehab, it may feel like we’re too “late” to participate in cancer prevention. But this is totally false! Cancer rehab pros are actually in the PERFECT position to educate & encourage our patients on cancer prevention. In today’s episode, we’re diving into what “prevention” in cancer is, how OncoPTs can help our pat…

Send us a Text Message. Over the past several decades, we’ve seen a tremendous increase in cancer survivorship, meaning more patients are living longer after their cancer diagnosis. However, this increase is not seen equally across all patient groups. For example, Black & African American patients continue to experience the highest rates of cancer …

Send us a Text Message. When I left my first ever OncoPT job, the only thing that kept me going was the amazing group of therapists who rallied around me & basically became my support group. As strong as you are, none of us are one-person shows. It truly takes a village to make it in cancer rehab. But if you’re not convinced about why YOU need a co…

Send us a Text Message. It’s no secret that cancer is EXPENSIVE, which can make accessing care extremely challenging for some patients. While various solutions are available today, one of my favorite organizations meeting these needs & expanding access to quality care is Moving Beyond Cancer Collective. Mari Galle, an oncology acupuncturist based i…