We’re talking with the “Oncology Knowledgy” Team, Dr. Karla Wente, PT, and Dr. Alexandra (Alex) Hill, PT. We discuss the importance of educating patients and their families about cancer. We often neglect to acknowledge this as an important part of the care of patients because we believe it is too basic. However, those are the basics that make the difference between good and exceptional care.
No matter the type of health care provider, we need to be better patient educators. Therefore, Dr. Wente, PT, and Dr. Hill, PT are bringing this topic to CSM since it is a perfect vehicle for reaching more people. You need to have a way to educate your patients about more than just how to do or care for themselves, but the reasoning behind it as well. Patients who understand why they should come back are more likely to do so.
Dr. Hill and Dr. Wente want to make patient education easier. It means creating a resource for other providers, creating better handouts, creating outlines for strategies, and so much more. They will discuss how to educate other medical professionals, patients, and families involved in oncology care at CSM. And today we get a behind the scene peek at what that looks like.
Links to things mentioned in this episode:
Register for APTA-CSM 2022 – https://www.mcisemi.com/aptacsm2022/
About Dr. Karla Wente, PT
Dr. Karla Wente is a licensed physical therapist in Chicago, receiving her doctorate degree and postgraduate residency training from Washington University in St. Louis. She is a Board Certified Women’s Clinical Specialist.
As a physical therapist, Karla has helped thousands of patients of all ages with pelvic, jaw, and orthopedic conditions. A passionate educator, she has taught at physical therapy programs, spoken at national conferences, and served as a mentor and clinical instructor for years. In recognition of her devotion to education, she was awarded Volunteer of the Year in 2019 by her professional association. She believes in global equity in therapy education, and has provided instruction to physical therapists in Niger and Ethiopia.
As a co-founder of PhysioSage, she is dedicated to improving the physical therapist’s role as patient educator by developing resources, educational content, and fostering collaboration with top practitioners.
Dr. Wente’s work has been featured in physical therapy journals, online magazines, and healthcare blogs.
When she is not geeking out about physical therapy, she loves to do yoga, write and make music (she plays 6 instruments!) and spend lots of time cuddling her two cats, Meeper and Sarabi.
Connect with Dr. Karla Wente, PT on Twitter, Instagram: @physiosage
Email: hello@physiosage.org
Website: physiosage.org
About Dr. Alexandra Hill, PT
Dr. Alexandra Hill graduated from Kent State University with a B.S. in Chemistry, going on to earn her Doctor of Physical Therapy at the University of Florida and complete the Women’s Health Physical Therapy Residency at Duke University Health System. She is presently a physical therapist with UF Health Jacksonville, specializing in pelvic health, lymphedema, and oncology rehabilitation for all genders. Alexandra is a dual Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Women’s Health and Oncologic Physical Therapy and a Lymphology Association of North America (LANA) Certified Lymphedema Therapist.
In addition to her clinical work, she is an APTA Credentialed Clinical Instructor for students, has several peer-reviewed research publications on pelvic health and oncology-related concerns, and has experience speaking at the regional, state, and national levels. Alexandra is an active and proud APTA member; she previously served as the Director of Financial Development for APTA Academy of Pelvic Health and co-chair of the APTA Academy of Pelvic Health Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA) Committee. She is currently serving as the APTA Academy of Oncologic Physical Therapy 2021 Centennial Scholar. Alexandra provides inclusive and empowering education on
Connect with Dr. Alexandra Hill, PT on Twitter, Instagram: @OncoPelvicPT
TikTok & Facebook: @OncoPelvicPT
Email: hello@OncoPelvicPT.com
Websites: OncoPelvicPT.com
Check out my previous interview with Dr. Alex Hill, PT on the APTA Oncology Mentorship program!