6 Lessons Learned from the HIV Pandemic

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 was a beautiful & raw episode, & we are all still trying to pick up the pieces & figure it out. 

As much as we focus on how to be better OncoPTs on this podcast, we can’t remove YOU from the equation. And this is exactly why it’s so important to have these conversations, to sit with these hard feelings, & to seek support to keep going.

You are not alone. We are here for you, friend. 

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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 cancer. We’re not good at treating the side effects.” 

That statement is exactly why it’s so important for you to listen to today’s episode & start implementing Dr. Katie Schmitt’s protocol for your patients with CIPN.

Listen now!  🎧

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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 chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) either.  

Guest Dr. Kayla Gomes, PT, breaks down her treatment approach for patients with neuropathy, no matter the cause.  You’ll learn how to start evaluating & treating your patients with neuropathy, plus gain some additional tools for your neuropathy toolbox.

Listen now!

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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.

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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!

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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 Gorman, PT is leading two teams as they go head to head in an Oxford Debate to deliberate if acute care PTs should or should not provide co-treatments with other therapies.  (P.S. if you’ve never seen an Oxford Debate, you are in for a treat.  And if “Oxford” or “debate” seems boring, this Oxford Debate promises to be anything BUT boring!)

No matter where you fall on this practice spectrum, what Dr. Gorman shares in this preview episode will challenge you to think more about why (or why not) you choose to co-treat on your next patient case. 

Listen now!

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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, we dive headfirst into the intersection of pregnancy, oncology, & physical therapy with Drs. Rebeca Segrave, Jenna Segrave, Katherine Sylvester, & Allyson Sutkowi-Hemstreet. 

In their upcoming CSM session, CP-17761 - Peripartum Cardiovascular Health Disparities and How Physical Therapists Play a Vital Role across Settings, they shed light on the alarming statistics surrounding cardiac conditions, which persist as the leading cause of death during pregnancy and the first year postpartum. 

Physical therapy has a significant role to play with this patient population, considering your vital contributions to risk assessment, triage, prevention, and treatment of pregnancy-related cardiac complications.  The question is now: are you going to step up & help address this with your patients?

Listen NOW. 

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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 Magdaleno stopped by TheOncoPT Podcast to discuss their upcoming CSM session, “Keep It Simple — Management of the Complex Patient in the Emergency Department.”

Now let me reassure you: you will benefit from listening in on this conversation, no matter the setting & patient population you encounter.  No ED experience required.

So pop in your favorite earbuds & get ready to take some notes!

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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 survivors & how to connect patients with AYA oncology resources in your own community.

Listen now!

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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 not just avoid tough conversations altogether?  Because it actually hurts our patients in the long run.

We cannot allow this to continue any longer - & that’s why I’m thrilled that Dr. Lori Boright is on the podcast today to discuss her upcoming APTA-CSM session called Navigating the Complex Situations and Tough Conversations of Working With the Cancer Population.

Here’s what we covered in today’s interview: 

• Having difficult conversations with patients is an important aspect of working with the cancer population.
• Authenticity and being your true self are key in having these conversations.
• Confidence and practical skills are essential in delivering difficult news to patients.
• The session at CSM aims to provide clinicians with tools and resources to improve communication and help patients navigate the challenges of cancer care.

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