TheOncoPT Podcast

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This week, we'll hear from Dr. Aubrene Fiore about the importance of wound care in oncology. Many oncology physical therapists lack wound care training, but wounds are very common during cancer treatment. During this episode, Dr. Fiore will walk us through basic wound care, sharing tools, resources, and her expertise. 

Supporting wound care is important. Physical therapy is often recommended after oncology surgery. Cancer physical therapists are constantly in contact with wounds associated with cancer treatments. Having a knowledge of wounds, the patients' history and current labs can be helpful in treating and preventing wounds. There are many resources that can help an oncology physical therapist better understand wound care.  

Being able to identify, share with the care team, and provide support to your patients is vital. If left untreated, complications may arise. Helping patients find ways to care for themselves is imperative. Understand how to bandage wounds, the importance of hydration, moisture, and self-care, along with resources to access if they are struggling financially. As a result, your patient will have the best chance of healing the wound. 

It's time to stop being afraid of wound care! You have the tools, resources, and knowledge to handle it!

🎓 FREE TRAINING: From Confused to Confident — a 4-step framework (SCAN) for decoding any question on your oncology specialist exam. Free at https://TheOncoPT.com/scan

🎄 Christmas in July: Get the Complete Oncology Specialist Package (Bootcamp + Case Report Writing Workshop + MOSC course) at our lowest price of the year — through July 31st. Join now and get the MOSC course free at launch: https://TheOncoPT.com/SPECIALIST

📝 The Practice Exam Bundle is here year-round — no deadline on this one. 150 original case-based questions across 3 timed exams, with full rationales. $249 for all three.

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Those treating people with cancer can feel overwhelmed & confused by nutrition for cancer treatment. Many healthcare providers are not trained in nutrition, but nutrition is vital to the health of their patients. It allows them to maintain the strength and function of their bodies. Our guest today is Dr. Krystle Zuniga, a registered and licensed cancer dietitian who discusses why having a dietitian on your patients' team is critical.

In our interview, we discuss how a dietitian differs from a nutritionist, what a dietitian does, & debunk some common myths about nutrition & cancer. 

Join TheOncoPT Online Community on Facebook to get access to the full interview & connect with the community.

🎓 FREE TRAINING: From Confused to Confident — a 4-step framework (SCAN) for decoding any question on your oncology specialist exam. Free at https://TheOncoPT.com/scan

🎄 Christmas in July: Get the Complete Oncology Specialist Package (Bootcamp + Case Report Writing Workshop + MOSC course) at our lowest price of the year — through July 31st. Join now and get the MOSC course free at launch: https://TheOncoPT.com/SPECIALIST

📝 The Practice Exam Bundle is here year-round — no deadline on this one. 150 original case-based questions across 3 timed exams, with full rationales. $249 for all three.

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Our discussion continues on the importance of strength-building for patients with cancer with Dr. Andrew Chongaway, PT, and Dr. Shai Swell, PT. Providing exercise programs that support strength-building at every stage of their journey is essential. Being sedentary can slow healing and recovery. Because of this, it is critical to develop a program that is tailored to the needs of each patient. 

Simple, interesting programs are more likely to hold a patient's interest and commitment. The plan doesn't need to be structured, just easy to follow and able to accommodate different stages in the patient's journey. A physical therapist should engage the patient during the session and find ways to make it more fun.

Exercise can be made more interesting with music. It keeps people motivated and engaged. You are strengthening your relationship by allowing your patient to share with you what they enjoy about music. It also creates a distraction, making exercises easier. They can then push a little harder when the effects of their treatment begin to manifest. 

You will be able to empower your patients by creating trust, listening to how the plan is feeling in their body, and connecting with them on a more personal level. If you ask them how an exercise feels during and after the session, you can help them judge their dosage of exercise according to how they are currently feeling. One of the most important things is teaching them how to monitor their intensity so they can continue their progress at home.

🎓 FREE TRAINING: From Confused to Confident — a 4-step framework (SCAN) for decoding any question on your oncology specialist exam. Free at https://TheOncoPT.com/scan

🎄 Christmas in July: Get the Complete Oncology Specialist Package (Bootcamp + Case Report Writing Workshop + MOSC course) at our lowest price of the year — through July 31st. Join now and get the MOSC course free at launch: https://TheOncoPT.com/SPECIALIST

📝 The Practice Exam Bundle is here year-round — no deadline on this one. 150 original case-based questions across 3 timed exams, with full rationales. $249 for all three.

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Do you ever struggle with dosing exercise for your oncology patients? I sure do.

I spoke with Dr. Andrew Chongaway, PT and Dr. Shai Sewell, PT about using exercise for your patients in their cancer journey and the importance of understanding how to dose exercise. 

If exercise is medicine, then we must be dosing it as such: specifically, to target specific patient needs.

When it comes to cancer treatment programs, exercise is crucial. Just like medicine, exercise dosages can change as treatment progresses. It is important to maintain the patient's mobility during treatment in order to help maintain their strength. Strength will be gradually developed if the right exercises are performed. The patient can maintain it even when he or she is at a low point in the journey.

This is a really important conversation that we aren't having enough in our field - tune in to hear Andrew & Shai's tips on how to better help your patients today!

🎓 FREE TRAINING: From Confused to Confident — a 4-step framework (SCAN) for decoding any question on your oncology specialist exam. Free at https://TheOncoPT.com/scan

🎄 Christmas in July: Get the Complete Oncology Specialist Package (Bootcamp + Case Report Writing Workshop + MOSC course) at our lowest price of the year — through July 31st. Join now and get the MOSC course free at launch: https://TheOncoPT.com/SPECIALIST

📝 The Practice Exam Bundle is here year-round — no deadline on this one. 150 original case-based questions across 3 timed exams, with full rationales. $249 for all three.

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Black Friday is a great time to grab deals for you, your practice, and your patients. It might be worth checking out many tools to help you improve your practice and assist your clients. Since many companies are offering specials during this time of year, it is a great time to sign up for CEUs to keep your license or expand your practice with the Oncology Specialist Certification Exam Prep.  

I am sharing these tools and deals with you as I believe they will be helpful to you and your patients. Having used all of these products personally, I stand by them.  Since I have seen great results with these products myself, I wanted to share them with you.

Whether you are looking to expand your practice, complete your continuing education credits to maintain your license, gain new skills, or help support your patients with products that support their healing process. Take advantage of these great deals while they last!

🎓 FREE TRAINING: From Confused to Confident — a 4-step framework (SCAN) for decoding any question on your oncology specialist exam. Free at https://TheOncoPT.com/scan

📝 The Practice Exam Bundle is here year-round — no deadline on this one. 150 original case-based questions across 3 timed exams, with full rationales. $249 for all three.

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Our guest today is Kathryn Schmitz, PhD, MPH, FACSM.  Yep, that Kathryn Schmitz!

Dr. Schmitz's work has paved the way for exercise oncology throughout her illustrious career, & her new book, Moving Through Cancer, empowers patients with the needed tools to start & stay moving through their cancer treatment.  

In our interview, Kathryn discusses the barriers we are currently facing in the cancer care community & what the next steps are for all of us to make exercise a true standard of care in oncology.

🎓 FREE TRAINING: From Confused to Confident — a 4-step framework (SCAN) for decoding any question on your oncology specialist exam. Free at https://TheOncoPT.com/scan

🎄 Christmas in July: Get the Complete Oncology Specialist Package (Bootcamp + Case Report Writing Workshop + MOSC course) at our lowest price of the year — through July 31st. Join now and get the MOSC course free at launch: https://TheOncoPT.com/SPECIALIST

📝 The Practice Exam Bundle is here year-round — no deadline on this one. 150 original case-based questions across 3 timed exams, with full rationales. $249 for all three.

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I speak with Dr. Abby Hegerfeld, PT about her journey from cancer survivor to oncology physical therapist. 

Being a cancer patient herself opened up new avenues for Abby: she's been able to help her patients regain their strength with the help of her own experience and research. 

This interview is a must listen: you'll find so many great tools, tips, and suggestions about how to prepare for your Oncology Specialist Certification Exam and how to care for your oncology patients.

🎓 FREE TRAINING: From Confused to Confident — a 4-step framework (SCAN) for decoding any question on your oncology specialist exam. Free at https://TheOncoPT.com/scan

🎄 Christmas in July: Get the Complete Oncology Specialist Package (Bootcamp + Case Report Writing Workshop + MOSC course) at our lowest price of the year — through July 31st. Join now and get the MOSC course free at launch: https://TheOncoPT.com/SPECIALIST

📝 The Practice Exam Bundle is here year-round — no deadline on this one. 150 original case-based questions across 3 timed exams, with full rationales. $249 for all three.

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Our guest this week is Dr. Teresa Lee, a lymphedema  physiotherapist specialist. Lymphedema is often referred to as a 'dreaded side effect' in oncology. However, it is something we cannot always avoid. Her book, Navigating Lymphedema, A Guide for Cancer Survivors, provides cancer survivors with the tools to treat lymphedema.

This week, we will discuss what you should know about lymphedema, how to treat it, and how to help your patients. Even therapists outside of oncology can help if a patient comes in with this diagnosis. Being able to support your patients with the right tools is part of quality patient care. Every patient is unique, so their care will depend on their individual circumstances. There is, however, one universal treatment: compression.

With the understanding and knowledge of the tools to treat lymphedema, you will be able to assist a patient on their oncology journey. Dr. Teresa Lee has been caring for cancer and lymphedema patients for the past 20 years. Her teachings aim to help others who are new to cancer treatment and lymphedema.

🎓 FREE TRAINING: From Confused to Confident — a 4-step framework (SCAN) for decoding any question on your oncology specialist exam. Free at https://TheOncoPT.com/scan

🎄 Christmas in July: Get the Complete Oncology Specialist Package (Bootcamp + Case Report Writing Workshop + MOSC course) at our lowest price of the year — through July 31st. Join now and get the MOSC course free at launch: https://TheOncoPT.com/SPECIALIST

📝 The Practice Exam Bundle is here year-round — no deadline on this one. 150 original case-based questions across 3 timed exams, with full rationales. $249 for all three.

Follow TheOncoPT on Instagram.
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Send us Fan Mail

Mentorship can be a real selling point for PT jobs. It is unparalleled to be able to continue learning in a structured environment with a guide. But does this really happen in reality?

We're often promised mentorship in a job interview, but as soon as we start working, that quickly disappears. Now it's "learn on the fly and keep up."

Oncology physical therapy is particularly suited to mentorship, so when I heard Alexandra Hill is heading up the brand new APTA Oncology Mentorship program, I was thrilled. In today's podcast, she talks about the importance of oncology PT mentorship, how the program was developed, and how it's affecting both mentees and mentors.

Dr. Alexandra Hill is looking forward to seeing her program grow and thrive. Having four amazing mentors herself, she knows the importance of mentorships and establishing a formalized structure that makes resources available. Moreover, it's important to match the right mentor to the right mentee. Her mission is to get more physical therapists involved in oncology.

🎓 FREE TRAINING: From Confused to Confident — a 4-step framework (SCAN) for decoding any question on your oncology specialist exam. Free at https://TheOncoPT.com/scan

🎄 Christmas in July: Get the Complete Oncology Specialist Package (Bootcamp + Case Report Writing Workshop + MOSC course) at our lowest price of the year — through July 31st. Join now and get the MOSC course free at launch: https://TheOncoPT.com/SPECIALIST

📝 The Practice Exam Bundle is here year-round — no deadline on this one. 150 original case-based questions across 3 timed exams, with full rationales. $249 for all three.

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Are you seeing red flags show up as your work for your employer? It might be time to look at what you are doing and make a decision to change your situation. When you are suffering, lacking joy, and feeling that your patients are not getting the best care because of the practices your employer wants you to follow, this stress and unhappiness will follow you in all areas of your life

It may be time to make the leap, lean into fear and see what life has in store for you. Myself and Dr. Adrian Cantu left our corporate careers during the pandemic, and we have never been happier with the changes. We are both living our passions, working with patients in a way that brings us joy, and getting to put our values first in our practices.

In this episode we talk about the red flags that came up, when we realized enough was enough, and how we were able to make the change. Taking that brave step of leaving allowed us to create practices we are proud of and enjoy going to everyday. This is possible for you too!

If you are on the fence or just not happy with your current role, this episode is for you!

🎓 FREE TRAINING: From Confused to Confident — a 4-step framework (SCAN) for decoding any question on your oncology specialist exam. Free at https://TheOncoPT.com/scan

🎄 Christmas in July: Get the Complete Oncology Specialist Package (Bootcamp + Case Report Writing Workshop + MOSC course) at our lowest price of the year — through July 31st. Join now and get the MOSC course free at launch: https://TheOncoPT.com/SPECIALIST

📝 The Practice Exam Bundle is here year-round — no deadline on this one. 150 original case-based questions across 3 timed exams, with full rationales. $249 for all three.

Follow TheOncoPT on Instagram.
Follow TheOncoPT on LinkedIn.