TheOncoPT Podcast

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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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 enlightening episode on TheOncoPT Podcast, I had the privilege of discussing this critical issue with the insightful Dr. Rebekah Griffith. We dove into what burnout really looks like (plus what is ISN’T), plus the importance of self-care, structured professional development planning, and the symbiotic relationship between personal and professional life.

Listen now!

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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/community

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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 guests Joe Sanok, Dr. Lori Boright, & Dr. Rebeca Segraves, each providing a unique lens on smarter practices in oncology patient care. 

Join us on this journey as we explore how embracing a holistic mindset and breaking down silos can pave the way for smarter, more effective practices in cancer rehab throughout 2024 and beyond.

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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 the themes of the past year and the importance of specialization in oncology physical therapy. I’m sharing past patient experiences & exactly how that subpar care highlights the need for competent clinicians who can confidently and competently care for oncology patients. 

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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 department care. These conversations emphasize the need for sustainable collaboration that benefits patients, improves job satisfaction, and expands the reach of cancer rehab services in communities. 

You don’t want to miss this 2023 wrap-up episode: listen now!

For show notes & links to the full interviews, visit TheOncoPT.com/278

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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 reasons, but most especially to help expand patient access & pathways to appropriate exercise & rehab services.  

Today, Dr. Karen Wonders of Maple Tree Cancer Alliance is on the podcast to discuss what these new updates are & what exactly they mean for you.  Plus, we also talk about how you can leverage your expertise & facilitate this process for your community - aka become the go-to pro as these updates are implemented.

Listen now!

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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 takeaways, & how this movement is already impacting cancer rehab as a whole.

Listen now!

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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 already use acupuncture to help with various treatment side effects.

So you better get clear on what it does, who it’s for, & how it helps your patients!

Mari Galle is the Director of Integrative Medicine & an oncology acupuncturist at Cancer Rehab & Integrative Medicine in Austin, Texas.  In today’s interview, she takes you behind the scenes of what acupuncture is & how it helps oncology patients.  Plus, she gives concrete examples of how cancer rehab & oncology acupuncture work together to better serve our patients.

Listen now!

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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!

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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 health care.

Joe Sanok is a licensed professional counselor & psychologist, thyroid cancer survivor, & author of Thursday is the New Friday.  In today’s conversation, we really get into just how broken American health care is, but it doesn’t stop there.  We actually get into real strategies you can implement at your own work place to truly start fixing our broken system, to better help our patients.  

You’ll learn:

• Ways to better structure your work week for you, your patient, & *your boss*
• How to use your time most efficiently to get allllll your tasks done
• How automation helps your practice & ways to implement automation in OncoPT 

Tune in ASAP for this practice-changing conversation.

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