TheOncoPT Podcast

Send us Fan Mail 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 conversation, Dr. Kayla Gomes, PT, breaks down the import...

Send us Fan Mail 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 for all the juicy details today! If you want a structured...

Send us Fan Mail 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 episode, we dive into the physical, cognitive, emo...

Send us Fan Mail 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 treating more & more cancer survivors. And soon, she was HOO...

Send us Fan Mail 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, & understood .  Dr. Matichak challenges us to be i...

Send us Fan Mail 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 mobility, their quality of life ? PTs are perfectly pr...

Send us Fan Mail 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 misconceptions about primary care PT, how it...

Send us Fan Mail 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 oncology. Despite the challenges of starting a practice d...

Send us Fan Mail 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. Mercedes Aguirre Valenzuela, PT, ( @ThePTAdvocate ) is on...

Send us Fan Mail 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 cry, we laugh, we cry some more. This...

Send us Fan Mail 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 guest said, “we are really good at treating the...

Send us Fan Mail 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 common in cancer rehab.  And it’s not just chemotherap...

Send us Fan Mail 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. If you want a structured way to get started on your ABPTS oncology case report, I'm hosting a LIVE writing spr...

Send us Fan Mail 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! If you want a structured way to get started on your ABPTS oncology case report, I&apo...

Send us Fan Mail 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 answer, tune into today’s episode! Dr. Sharon Gorma...

Send us Fan Mail 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 OncoPT. In this week’s episode on TheOncoPT Podcast,...

Send us Fan Mail 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. Rebekah Griffith, Jenna Segraves, & Mark Magdal...

Send us Fan Mail 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 better understand the multifactorial needs of AYA sur...

Send us Fan Mail 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 health care to HELP people, not make them feel bad. So why n...

Send us Fan Mail 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 among healthcare professionals. In a recent enlighteni...

Send us Fan Mail 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 Community (for FREE!), visit TheOncoPT.com/commu...

Send us Fan Mail 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 dives into insightful conversations with past g...

Send us Fan Mail 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 cut it.  PERIOD. In this episode, we’re reflecting on...

Send us Fan Mail 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 acupuncturists, and experts in pelvic health and emergency departmen...

Send us Fan Mail 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 & rehabilitation. This is huge for so many reaso...