Welcome to TheOncoPT Podcast, where you'll learn how to be a confident, competent oncology physical therapist from oncology experts, practitioners, & patients.
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TheOncoPT Podcasts

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{Part 2} CLT Training Breakdown: What to Know Before Getting Certified (From a New CLT!)
54:56
54:56
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54:56Send us a text {Listen to Part 1 of my interview with Dr. Kelly Martin, PT, CLT here} Dr. Kelly Martin, PT, CLT is back for part 2 of her honest debrief on becoming a Certified Lymphedema Therapist and what it means to truly step into your role as a CLT. From gaining the depth of education that changes how you communicate with patients, to confiden…
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CLT Training Breakdown: What to Know Before Getting Certified (From a New CLT!)
51:18
51:18
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51:18Send us a text Becoming a Certified Lymphedema Therapist (CLT) is more than just getting extra letters behind your name—it’s about addressing one of the biggest care gaps in oncology rehab. In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, Dr. Kelly Martin, PT, CLT, shares a behind-the-scenes look at her recent CLT training: what she learned, what surprised…
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Here's How to Handle Professional Rejection (without making it personal)
26:18
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26:18Send us a text P.S. Start with last week’s episode before diving into this one! 🎧 Rejection sucks — and if you’ve been in cancer rehab longer than a day, you’ve probably felt it more than once. Whether it’s a denied abstract, a grant that didn’t go through, or a mentorship request that went nowhere… it stings. In this episode, we’re unpacking what …
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Submitting Your First Conference Proposal? What I Wish I Knew as a New OncoPT
35:12
35:12
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35:12Send us a text You hit “submit” on your conference proposal—and then… radio silence. What actually happens next? In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on what happens on the inside after you submit a proposal to present at a conference. We’re talking about the real reasons even strong proposals get rejected, what reviewers are looking for, …
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The BIGGEST CANCER REHAB RESEARCH Just Dropped: What to Know
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53:58
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53:58Send us a text In case you missed it, the most important cancer rehab research since the PAL trial debuted at ASCO 2025. Today on the podcast, I’m joined by Scott Capozza, PT, who recently attended and presented at ASCO 2025. Scott breaks down what ASCO is, how it compares to APTA CSM, and why oncology rehab professionals need to be paying attentio…
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Answering Your Biggest ABPTS Oncology Application Questions
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45:13
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45:13Send us a text Stuck on your ABPTS Oncology case report? You are not alone. In this Ask Elise Anything episode, we’re diving into YOUR questions about writing your case report for the ABPTS Oncology Specialty Certification application. From choosing a strong patient case to avoiding perfection paralysis, this episode is packed with practical advice…
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How to Finish Your ABPTS Oncology Case Report (Even If You’ve Started Over 3x)
40:21
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40:21Send us a text Feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or tempted to start over (again) on your case report? Before you completely trash your case report, you’ll want to listen to this 👇 Molly Reynolds, PT, shares her honest journey of starting and scrapping multiple case report drafts before finally gaining momentum (and confidence) through the Case Report Wr…
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How to Finish Your ABPTS Oncology Case Report On Time (and Still Have a Life)
18:42
18:42
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18:42Send us a text Feeling overwhelmed by your case report? Thinking about using PTO just to finish writing? You’re not alone — and you definitely don’t have to do that. With the July 1 early bird deadline for the ABPTS Oncology application fast approaching, now’s the time to create a case report game plan that fits your real life (you know, the one wi…
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💥 The Case Report Course That Pays Off (Literally)
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1:28Send us a text ✅ Write your case report. ✅ Earn CEUs. ✅ Make real progress on your ABPTS Oncology application. In this quick bonus episode, I’m sharing the major updates to Case Report Writing Workshop — including 18 contact hours for PT CEUs, new module upgrades, and a streamlined path to finishing your case report (without the burnout). 👉 Ready t…
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Specialization Is a Marathon — Here’s How to Pace Yourself
37:48
37:48
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37:48Send us a text If you’re reading this, chances are you’re seriously considering (or already committed to) pursuing your Oncology Specialist Certification. But what most PTs don’t realize is that the specialization process is a marathon, not a sprint. And this marathon doesn’t finish when you take the exam. In this episode, I’m going to walk you thr…
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Leverage THIS STRATEGY to Better Connect with Your Oncology Patients
25:42
25:42
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25:42Send us a text As an OncoPT, it’s easy to underappreciate just how much you know. What feels “basic” to you—like explaining cancer-related fatigue or fitting a walker—is often life-changing information for someone else. So here’s your reminder: 👉 Don’t keep your knowledge to yourself. Share it. Because someone out there needs to hear exactly what y…
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How Research & Mentorship Are Launching Tomorrow’s Oncology Leaders
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52:32
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52:32Send us a text New cancer treatments are only one aspect of improving oncology care. Because we also need the next generation of rehab professionals who are trained, willing, & excited to lead the charge in oncology rehabilitation. In this episode of TheOncoPT Podcast, we’re diving into the real-world impact of student-led research, mentorship, and…
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Bluebonnets and OncoPTs: Why Growth Takes Time (and a Little Tough Love)
23:15
23:15
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23:15Send us a text Like the Texas bluebonnets, your growth as an oncology PT doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time, patience, and the right conditions. In this episode, we unpack why the steady, often invisible work you’re doing matters—and how it’s building the confident, expert clinician your patients need. >>Join The Cancer Rehab Community today a…
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Your Oncology Case Report Demystified: One Specialist's Advice
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44:49
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44:49Send us a text Thinking about board certification in oncologic physical therapy but feeling stuck on where to start — or whether you can even do it? This episode is your roadmap and your pep talk in one. Theresa Walchner, PT, shares exactly how writing her case report and earning her Oncology Specialist Certification transformed her clinical confid…
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I Thought They Were Ears… AKA Why Feedback Makes You a Better Oncology PT
24:44
24:44
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24:44Send us a text (P.S. Get ready for a good laugh in today’s episode 😆) You are a skilled, thoughtful clinician, but you’re not perfect. Even the best OncoPTs have blind spots. In today’s episode, you’ll hear why feedback isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s an essential tool for growth, clinical excellence, and building confidence, especially when working …
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What Happens When We Really Show Up for Our Patients
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37:14
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37:14Send us a text Healing is more than physical—every small act of empathy and presence matters. In this episode, breast cancer survivor and advocate Thandi Montgomery shares how her cancer journey helped her shift from just getting by to actually living. Thandi advocates for survivors and clinicians to make the same pivot, through the power of suppor…
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Case Report? More like Survival Guide for OncoPTs!
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28:17
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28:17Send us a text “One day you will tell your story of how you overcame what you went through, and it will be someone else’s survival guide.” – Brené Brown Your case report is exactly that—a survival guide for future OncoPTs. When you share your clinical reasoning, decision-making, and outcomes, you’re not just fulfilling an application requirement. Y…
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Seated Doesn't Mean Easy: Adaptive Fitness for Your Oncology Patients
36:51
36:51
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36:51Send us a text Too often, people living with and beyond cancer are sidelined from fitness—not because they can’t exercise, but because programs aren’t designed with their unique needs in mind. In this episode, Elise talks with Dr. Kaci and Dr. Reed Handlery, PTs, about building inclusive, sustainable community-based programs for people with mobilit…
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Applying for the Oncology Specialty Certification Exam? Here’s Everything You Need to Know
28:15
28:15
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28:15Send us a text Dreaming of becoming a board-certified oncology PT but feeling overwhelmed by the application process? You’re not alone—and I’ve got you covered! In this episode, we’re breaking down everything you need to know to successfully apply for the ABPTS Oncology Specialty Certification. From documenting your experience to understanding the …
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Prostate Cancer & Men's Health: The Urgent Need for Open Conversations
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43:40
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43:40Send us a text Prostate cancer is extremely curable if caught early. However, men of color—especially African American men—are disproportionately diagnosed at advanced stages, facing significantly worse outcomes. Health inequities, systemic barriers, and stigma around discussing men’s health continue to delay critical testing and diagnosis, deeply …
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From Good to Great: How to Stand Out & Make an Impact in OncoPT
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31:19
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31:19Send us a text What sets a good oncology PT apart from a great one? Becoming a specialist in OncoPT doesn’t just elevate your clinical skills—it transforms how you advocate for patients, opens new career opportunities, and positions you as a leader in this growing field. And one of the most powerful ways to showcase your expertise? The ABPTS Oncolo…
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BMT & CAR T-Cell Updates: What You Need to Know for Your Patients
51:19
51:19
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51:19Send us a text Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) and CAR T-cell therapy are evolving fast—are you keeping up? In this episode of TheOncoPT Podcast, Dr. Adam Matichak returns to share the latest updates on these groundbreaking treatments and what they mean for your OncoPT practice. You'll learn how CAR T-cell therapy is expanding, why mobility strategies…
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Your Voice Matters: How to Start Presenting at Conferences
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29:31
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29:31Send us a text Have you ever thought about presenting at a conference but weren’t sure where to start? Maybe you have an idea, but imposter syndrome kicks in, or the application process seems too overwhelming. In this episode, you’ll get a step-by-step guide to submitting a conference proposal, tips for making your application stand out, and why Th…
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CSM 2025 Recap: What You Need to Know (Even If You Were There!)
37:07
37:07
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37:07Send us a text APTA CSM 2025 was a whirlwind—in the best way possible. From groundbreaking sessions to game-changing hallway conversations, this conference was packed with insights, networking, and some much-needed discussions about the future of physical therapy. But whether you attended in person or had to sit this one out, I’ve got you covered! …
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Your ABPTS Oncology Exam Questions - ANSWERED!
32:37
32:37
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32:37Send us a text Studying for the ABPTS Oncology Specialty Certification Exam? In this episode of TheOncoPT Podcast, Elise breaks down everything you need to know—from the exam format and content areas to game-changing test-taking strategies that set you up for success. But this isn’t just about passing a test. You’ll dive into the bigger picture—why…
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{APTA CSM Preview} Why Isn’t #Cancerrehab Trending? Cancer Rehab in the Age of Social Media
49:57
49:57
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49:57Send us a text Your patients are turning to social media for health information more than ever. But here’s the problem: there is a scarcity of accurate, trustworthy cancer rehab info available online. With millions searching for answers online, physical therapists have a unique opportunity to educate, advocate, and expand access to life-changing ca…
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{APTA CSM Preview} Hem-Onc 101: What Every Clinician Needs to Know about Hematological Malignancies
30:07
30:07
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30:07Send us a text Treating patients with hematologic oncologic diagnoses isn’t just about managing fatigue—it’s about understanding the complex, ever-changing challenges they face at every stage of treatment. From acute inpatient deficits to long-term survivorship, physical therapists play a critical role in improving outcomes for this population. In …
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{APTA CSM Preview} CIPN, Balance, and Breathing: An Interactive Workshop on Manual Therapy, Diaphragmatic Breathing, and Improving Balance
28:33
28:33
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28:33Send us a text Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN) is more than just numbness and tingling. With up to 83% of patients experiencing persistent CIPN, oncoPTs need practical, evidence-based strategies to address these challenges head-on. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Katie Schmitt, PT, to discuss an innovative, hands-on approach …
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{APTA CSM Preview} Can Virtual Reality Improve Clinical Reality? VR’s Role in Pediatric Oncology Rehab
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43:19Send us a text For children and adolescents with cancer, exercise is a proven way to improve quality of life, cancer-related fatigue, and physical strength. Yet, many young patients struggle to stay active, especially during hospitalizations. Enter Virtual Reality (VR), an innovative tool that’s bridging the gap between exercise recommendations and…
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{APTA CSM Preview} Expecting the Unexpected: Cancer Care During and After Pregnancy
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29:24
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29:24Send us a text Cancer during pregnancy is a reality that’s becoming more common. In fact, it’s now the second leading cause of death among women in their reproductive years. But what does this mean for OncoPT? These patients face incredibly complex physical and mental health challenges—not just during pregnancy but long after. That’s where you come…
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{APTA CSM Preview} My Patient with Breast Cancer is Your Patient with Shoulder Dysfunction: Combining Onco- and Ortho-PT
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28:50Send us a text With over 240,000 people diagnosed with breast cancer every year, it’s no surprise that many patients seen in orthopedic clinics also have breast cancer somewhere in their medical history. Here’s the catch: breast cancer treatments like chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, and reconstruction don’t just treat cancer—they also create ripp…
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{APTA CSM Preview} Watch Your Mouth: Improving Therapeutic Alliance Through Effective Communication
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33:42Send us a text The new year is officially here, which means we have begun the countdown to APTA-CSM 2025! 🎙️ "Watch Your Mouth: Improving Therapeutic Alliance Through Effective Communication" is not just another talk about communication—this session dives deep into the how of connecting with your patients on a meaningful level. We’re talking about …
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{Best of 2024} Neuropathy in OncoPT: More Than Just CIPN
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1:03:58Send us a text 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. Neuropathy can be challenging to address, but it’s very common in cancer rehab. And it’s not just chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) e…
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{Best of 2024} How to Treat Your Patient's CIPN
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54:39Send us a text Coming in as the #2 most popular episode of TheOncoPT Podcast, it's our interview with fan favorite, Dr. Katie Schmitt! 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 challen…
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{Best of 2024} The Hidden Skills You Need to Implement in Prostate Cancer Rehab
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51:10Send us a text 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 year-end repla…
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{Best of 2024} What it Actually Takes to Specialize in Cancer Rehab
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59:40Send us a text In this replay episode, I sit down with Dr. Alyssa Carey, one of my Case Report Writing Workshop students, to talk about her journey in creating a compelling case report. We dive into the challenges she faced, the lessons she learned, and how the process transformed her as a clinician. This episode is more than a guide to case report…
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{Best of 2024} How to Truly Be a Whole-Person PT: What Cancer Rehab Can Learn From Primary Care
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52:13Send us a text "There is a whole person, with a whole bunch of body systems that are all implicated or affected in all of this, but who also exists within this greater community. And we cannot discount any of those factors if we're really trying to make a difference in the function, in the independence, in the quality of life in our patient." In th…
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How To Level Up Your Cancer Rehab Practice Now: #TCRCC2024 Recap
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47:28Send us a text In this episode, Elise takes a look back at The Cancer Rehab Community Conference 2024, sharing key takeaways and highlights from the event. Dive into the incredible sessions with the actual conference speakers, covering topics like: Using manual therapy to manage CIPN Safety in cancer rehab (from the safety queen herself, Dr. Susan …
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How to Bridge Research and Practice in Oncology PT: Recapping #TCRCC2024
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28:54Send us a text The Cancer Rehab Community Conference 2024 delivered an inspiring weekend filled with learning, collaboration, and innovation. Attendees gained actionable insights from experts, shared practical applications of the latest research, and celebrated the strides being made in oncology rehab. Whether you missed it or want to revisit the k…
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How to Combat the Worst Advice in Cancer Rehab
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25:11Send us a text Cancer rehab can be challenging to practice on your own. Worst yet, too many therapists get the advice “You’ll just figure it out.” That’s why a COMMUNITY of support, inspiration, and innovation is so important to your journey as an OncoPT. In this episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on The Cancer Rehab Community Conference, and …
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The Truly Useful Textbooks for Your Specialty Exam Prep (OncoPT Approved!)
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1:02:06Send us a text What if you could transform your oncology specialty exam prep from overwhelmingly stressful to confidently strategic? Well, that's exactly what we're diving into today! I’m thrilled to introduce you to Dr. Candace Alexander, PT, who just passed her Oncology Specialty Certification Exam earlier this year. In today’s episode, we’re goi…
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{Research Round-Up) More Gains, Less Load? It's Possible with THIS
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1:05:17Send us a text Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) training has been used for years to help patients make greater gains during strength training. But does BFR belong in oncology rehab? Short answer: yes! Dr. Kelly Martin, PT, is back on the podcast to discuss the benefits of BFR, plus important safety considerations for our oncology patients. Dr. Martin a…
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Proven Tips & Tools To Survive Your Oncology Specialty Certification Prep
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49:58Send us a text Oncology specialization can feel like Fight Club - because nooooobody talks about it until you’re in it. So in this episode we’re busting open the doors & diving into the process of specialization with Dr. Tori Crook. Dr. Crook is a board certified clinical specialist in oncologic physical therapy & acute care oncology physical thera…
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Finish Line Focus: Completing Your Oncology Case Report on Time
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36:48Send us a text With just a few weeks left until the September 30 deadline, it's officially crunch time for your ABPTS Oncology Case Report and Application! In this episode, we're going to break down how to strategically approach your writing and how to avoid the common pitfalls that can derail your progress. Plus, I’ll share some tips on budgeting …
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10 Years of Prospective Surveillance Model: Why Aren't We Further Along? (Replay)
1:22:54
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1:22:54Send us a text It's been 12 years since the Prospective Surveillance Model was first published. This model saves our patients money, can prevent functional decline, & has changed our entire paradigm of how we treat people with cancer. So why is it still so rare to see it implemented? Buckle up, OncoPT, because there’s a lot to cover today. But it’s…
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Do These Things to Treat Your Patient with Bone Metastases Better (Replay)
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37:37Send us a text If you ask any rehab professional what scares them the most about oncology patients, their answer 99.9% of the time will be bone metastases. And this fear is keeping rehab professionals from actually helping their patients with cancer (even those without bone mets). The fact is patients with bone metastases benefit from rehab, from e…
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Collaboration Catapults Your Patient Care - Here's How To Start
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38:38Send us a text ICYMI: Katie Ledecky is 🐐 And while she’s been crushing it at #Paris2024, she’s also been serving up some lessons that cancer rehab NEEDS TO LEARN. In short, you can’t practice in a silo & realistically expect to see improved patient care. What you need instead is COMMUNITY. Learn how sharing knowledge, providing support, leading by …
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{Research Round-Up} Leveraging Social Media to Improve Access for AYA Survivors
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49:07Send us a text In this first edition of our special Research Round-Up series, we dive into groundbreaking research that examines a novel way to put adolescent & young adult (AYA) survivors BACK in the driver’s seat of their care. Dr. Kelly Martin, physical therapist & TheOncoPT team member, joins Elise to discuss the importance of education and bri…
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Send us a text Oncology physical therapy is a SIGNIFICANT departure from what most people know & expect from physical therapy. Think about it: cancer itself is a red flag condition you likely learned about & how you should refer the patient with cancer back to their referring provider. And that is totally antithetical to how you as an OncoPT approa…
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How to start treating your pregnant oncology patient
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41:15Send us a text In PT school, you may have heard that cancer is a disease of the old. But this is only half true. Cancer affects people of all ages, including those in their childbearing years, even during pregnancy. And you’re likely going to be seeing more of these patients in your own practice. Dr. Rebeca Segraves, PT, & Dr. Alexandra Hill, PT, a…
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