TheOncoPT Podcast

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Studying for the ABPTS Oncology Exam while working full-time can make it feel like you’re never doing enough. When time is limited, HOW you study matters more than how long you study.

You'll hear why busy clinicians often default to passive studying, how time pressure increases second-guessing, and what actually helps when your schedule is full.

In this episode, we cover:
• Why time scarcity increases decision fatigue
• The difference between familiarity and confidence
• Why longer study sessions aren’t always more effective
• How structure reduces mental load

Looking for more structure and clarity?
If visual guidance would be helpful, you can find related videos in this YouTube playlist:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZrwPMnzMtblj9rgmUIw7PJCQ8yGJ9IFX&si=-FMqrrcXf9QU2DQ7

🎓 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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Many oncology physical therapists default to studying EVERYTHING when preparing for the ABPTS Oncology Exam. It feels responsible...but this often leads to overstudying, decision fatigue, and unnecessary stress.

You'll hear why overstudying is so common, how it undermines your confidence, and why prioritization is a skill that matters more than volume.

In this episode, we cover:
• Why “studying everything” feels safe but actually backfires
• How decision fatigue affects confidence
• The difference between responsibility and prioritization
• Why clarity beats volume during exam prep

Looking for more structure and clarity?
I’ve shared a visual breakdown of this topic in my YouTube playlist for oncology PTs preparing for the ABPTS exam:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZrwPMnzMtblj9rgmUIw7PJCQ8yGJ9IFX&si=-FMqrrcXf9QU2DQ7

🎓 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.

Follow TheOncoPT on Instagram.
Follow TheOncoPT on LinkedIn.

Send us Fan Mail

If you’re preparing for the ABPTS Oncology Specialty Exam and feeling overwhelmed or unsure whether you’re studying the right things, you’re not alone. This stage of exam prep often brings more anxiety — not because you’re failing, but because clarity matters more than effort.

You'll hear why overwhelm is so common at this point, what actually increases stress during studying, and how clearer prioritization can restore your confidence.

In this episode, we cover:
• Why overwhelm often peaks late in exam prep
• How random studying increases anxiety
• The difference between effort and clarity
• Why confidence drops without prioritization

Looking for more structure and clarity?
If you’d like a more structured, visual walkthrough on this topic, you can watch the full YouTube playlist here:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZrwPMnzMtblj9rgmUIw7PJCQ8yGJ9IFX&si=-FMqrrcXf9QU2DQ7

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What happens when we know exercise improves outcomes for cancer survivors…but most patients still can’t access it? 

In this episode, I sit down with the guest speakers behind the upcoming APTA CSM session “Mind the Gaps: Advancing Equitable Implementation of Evidence-Based Exercise Programs for Survivors of Cancer” to unpack the real-world barriers between evidence and practice in exercise oncology.

We dig into what it actually takes to implement evidence-based programs like Strength After Breast Cancer in clinical settings—and why equity has to be designed into the process from the start. 

From pre-implementation planning and adapting programs on the fly, to building community partnerships that expand access for under-resourced and minority survivors, this conversation moves beyond theory into actionable strategies clinicians can use now.

If you care about closing research-to-practice gaps, advancing health equity, and delivering better rehab outcomes for cancer survivors, this one’s for you. 🎧

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You’ve probably heard that “the soft skills are actually the hardest skills.” But what happens when your interpersonal skills are put to the test in the most chaotic and emotionally charged moments of patient care?

In this episode, we unpack why so-called “difficult” patients behave the way they do, how fear and loss of control drive conflict, and why oncology physical therapists are uniquely equipped to navigate these moments with clarity and confidence.

You’ll hear practical strategies for anticipating patient needs, managing escalating situations, collaborating across disciplines, and checking your own bias before it checks you.

This conversation goes beyond protocols and productivity metrics to focus on what actually determines success in high-stress encounters: trauma-informed care, de-escalation, emotional intelligence, ethical boundaries, and clinical communication.

This episode will challenge how you think about conflict, remind you that human connection is a clinical skill, and leave you with tools to turn tension into therapeutic opportunity.

🎧 Listen in, and if you’ll be at CSM, add this session to your schedule:
AC-24501 - Managing the Unmanageable, the a-Holes of the Emergency Department

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OncoPTs are part of a patient’s oncology team during the most vulnerable moments of life, including the end of life. However, many clinicians feel unprepared to hold conversations about death and dying and manage the emotional toll that comes with this work.

In this APTA CSM Preview episode, I’m joined by Drs. Adam Matichak and Lori Boright for a grounded, compassionate conversation about what PTs need to know to show up confidently in hospice and palliative care settings.

We talk about:

• The OncoPT’s role when the goal is no longer “getting better,” but living fully
• How to navigate difficult conversations about functional decline, goals of care, and quality of life
• Why “Death is not a dirty word”… and how normalizing these conversations can transform patient care
  
  

No matter your previous experience, this episode will help you understand the landscape, communicate more clearly, and care for yourself as you care for others.

If you’re headed to CSM 2026, add this session to your schedule:
Death Is Not a Dirty Word: The What’s What of Hospice and Palliative Care

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Happy new year OncoPTs! APTA CSM 2026 is just around the corner, so we’re back with our annual CSM preview series 🎉

Immunotherapy has changed the cancer treatment landscape - and if you’ve ever felt like the terminology (and the pace of new developments) is moving faster than you can keep up, you’re not alone.

In this APTA CSM 2026 Preview episode, I’m joined by Scott Capozza, PT, MSPT, Amanda Giarratano, PT, DPT, and Stephen Wechsler, PT, DPT, PhD to unpack what every rehab clinician needs to know about the world of immunotherapy - from the “cibs,” “mibs,” and “mabs” to the real-life implications we’re seeing in rehab settings.

Whether you’re working in oncology rehab every day or you’re a generalist who occasionally sees patients on immunotherapy, this episode will help you feel more confident and more prepared - especially if you’re heading to CSM and deciding which sessions to prioritize.

🎧 Listen in, and if you’ll be at CSM, add this session to your schedule:
ON-24021: Cibs, Mibs and Mabs, Oh My! Demystifying Challenges and Identifying Opportunities with Immunotherapy in Rehabilitation

If immunotherapy still feels like a lot after this episode, I’ve got you:

I created a MedBridge course called “Immunotherapy: What Every Rehab Professional Should Know” that breaks it down step-by-step. You can access it (and support my work) here.

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You listened and you LOVED this episode, which is exactly why this is THE NUMBER ONE EPISODE of TheOncoPT Podcast for 2025!

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 attention.

We dive into some of the key themes from this year’s conference, including the game-changing findings from the CHALLENGE trial and the growing emphasis on structured exercise as a critical part of cancer care. 

But more importantly, we talk about how OncoPTs are perfectly positioned to take this research and turn it into action.

It’s not just about being at the table. It’s about putting research into practice, starting now—because our patients can’t wait.

Listen now!

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TheOncoPT Podcast officially turned SEVEN, y'all! 

And a beautiful part of being around this long means that it's time for some knowledge updates:

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 matter more than ever, and how to use vital signs to guide your treatment decisions. 

Plus, we’ll explore how you can advocate for rehab’s role in oncology, prepare patients for complex treatments like BMT and CAR T, and find the resources you need to stay ahead in this rapidly changing field.

Whether you're new to cancer rehab or a seasoned pro, this conversation will give you practical tools to treat your patients undergoing BMT and/or CAR T-cell therapy. 

Listen now!

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Hey OncoPTs! We're back with our #3 episode of 2025, this time with Dr. Katie Schmitt on her incredible APTA CSM 2025 session, CIPN, Balance, and Breathing: An Interactive Workshop on Manual Therapy, Diaphragmatic Breathing, & Improving Balance.

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 to treating CIPN, improving balance, and integrating breathwork into cancer rehab. 

We explore the role of manual therapy in nerve stimulation, how diaphragmatic breathing enhances core control, and why these techniques should be part of every oncology PT’s toolbox. 

Plus, we’ll cover practical takeaways that you can apply in the clinic immediately.

If you’re looking to elevate your approach to CIPN and fall prevention, don’t miss this conversation!

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