Somehow, we’ve made it to the end of 2023. To celebrate making it this far, we’re looking back on some of the most impactful moments from the last year on TheOncoPT Podcast.
Collaboration is such a loaded buzz phrase in cancer rehab, but true collaboration can be difficult to implement in real-life practice. However, collaboration is THE KEY to ensuring best-quality cancer rehab for our patients.
Collaboration also extends outside of merely collaborating with other physical therapists. You would never expect your patients to see just one oncologist to coordinate their chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, immunotherapy, hormonal therapy, cardiovascular health, pain management, etc. Instead, the medical oncologist coordinates care with the radiation oncologist, the surgical oncologist, the plastic surgeon, & each corresponding team member.
We must do the same in cancer rehab.
So listen up to these amazing speakers & previous podcast guests for some actionable tips on how to effectively, successfully implement collaboration into your own oncology patient care:
Dr. Rebeca Segraves – Ep. 271
In this podcast excerpt, Dr. Rebeca Segraves discusses the critical importance of collaboration in oncology physical therapy, particularly during the postpartum journey. Dr. Segraves emphasizes the need for tailored treatment by engaging in conversations with patients about their experiences, addressing issues such as pelvic girdle pain.
The conversation highlights the shift in the approach to oncology patients, emphasizing the importance of teamwork among various specialists, including medical oncologists, surgical oncologists, and radiation oncologists. The need for a collaborative framework is SUPER CRITICAL to providing comprehensive care, such as when PTs & OTs are collaborating on a patient’s care.
Dr. Segraves shares her experience, pointing out the challenges faced in coordinating care for patients with similar diagnoses. The speakers advocate for creative solutions, stressing the importance of occupational therapists in addressing transitions to new routines and roles, especially crucial for those recently diagnosed with cancer.
The excerpt underscores the necessity for communication and shared responsibility within the healthcare team, debunking the myth that practitioners must handle everything individually. Driven by the shortage of oncology-trained physical therapists, Elise and Dr. Segraves encourage the integration of various disciplines, including orthopedic, cardiopulmonary, and pediatric colleagues, to form a cohesive team for patients.
Ultimately, the goal is to provide wraparound care that considers the complexity of cancer treatment, postpartum recovery, and the unique challenges individuals face. The significance of developing a collaborative and supportive team to ensure holistic care for patients in the field of oncology physical therapy CANNOT BE EMPHASIZED ENOUGH!
Dr. Rebekah Griffith – Ep. 239
In this podcast excerpt, Dr. Rebekah Griffith discusses the significant impact of early access to physical therapy, particularly in the emergency department setting. Even in the emergency department, timely physical therapy can save both time and resources. By promptly addressing patients who arrive with acute injuries, physical therapy can reduce missed workdays, alleviate anxiety, and empower individuals to manage their conditions effectively.
Furthermore, Griffith shares instances where patients who had delayed seeking care or had experienced significant trauma benefited from direct access to acute rehabilitation, avoiding prolonged hospital stays. The conversation addresses the downstream nature of the healthcare system, emphasizing the need for a more proactive approach, especially in emergency departments.
In conclusion, the discussion underscores the vital role physical therapists play in the emergency department, contributing to efficient patient care, provider satisfaction, and overall system improvement.
Mari Galle – Ep. 275
In this conversation, Mari Galle, an acupuncture practitioner, discusses various symptoms experienced by cancer patients during active treatment and how acupuncture can be a valuable adjunctive therapy. The focus is on addressing issues such as nausea, digestive problems, anxiety, anticipatory anxiety related to chemotherapy, steroid crash, fatigue, neuropathy, hot flashes, bone and joint pain, mental clarity, and fogginess.
Galle emphasizes the collaboration between acupuncture and physical therapy (PT), particularly in treating symptoms like neuropathy. She highlights the benefits of combining both therapies to address different aspects of a patient’s condition effectively. The discussion underscores the importance of communication between practitioners to provide holistic care.
Elise and Galle share insights into the collaborative process, mentioning the need for practitioners to stay within their respective lanes while appreciating the contributions of each field. They discuss sharing notes, evidence-based research, and maintaining open communication between acupuncture and PT to ensure a comprehensive and safe approach.
Dr. Karen Wonders – Ep. 277
In this conversation, Dr. Karen Wonders discusses the exciting opportunities in exercise oncology. They emphasize the potential to impact more lives and foresee a shift toward insurance reimbursement for exercise oncology, which is currently not covered. Karen shares her experience with Maple Tree, highlighting the challenges of fundraising for hospital partnerships and the belief that exercise oncology becoming standard care will open doors to reach more patients.
The conversation touches on the importance of education and workforce development in exercise oncology, addressing the need for a skilled workforce to meet the growing demand. We also debunk the myth that exercise oncology may divert patients from traditional rehab, emphasizing the abundance of patients and the need for a collaborative approach.
Karen emphasizes the need for oncology to catch up with other medical fields in terms of transitioning patients from specialized care to exercise, comparing it to practices seen in knee replacements. The discussion concludes with a focus on the urgent need to build a substantial workforce to meet the future demands of exercise oncology as it becomes a standard of care.