TheOncoPT Podcast

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 episode, we dive into the physical, cognitive, emotional, & psychological aspects of a prostate cancer survivor’s experience, plus how to truly understand the barriers your patient faces in their home, work, & life environment.

Join us for an enlightening & eye-opening episode with Dr. Matthew Johnston, PT!

Writing your oncology specialty exam case report is a huge undertaking.

And it’s easy to make silly mistakes that can derail your entire writing process.

That’s why you need my brand new FREE masterclass: The 3 Step Framework for a Finished Case Report

Save your seat at TheOncoPT.com/framework

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Cancer rehab may not always be the first step on your PT journey - but that doesn’t mean you’re behind or you can’t become an expert clinician.

Today’s guest is the PERFECT example of this: Melissa White began her PT career nowhere near oncology. But after she transitioned into pelvic floor therapy, she found herself treating more & more cancer survivors. And soon, she was HOOKED.

Fast forward, she’s now building cancer rehab programs in her area & specializes in onco-pelvic PT. Melissa shares her experience of starting the specialization journey, writing her case report through our signature program Case Report Writing Workshop, & how it’s helping her become the best PT possible for her patients.

LISTEN NOW 🎧

Writing your oncology specialty exam case report is a huge undertaking.

And it’s easy to make silly mistakes that can derail your entire writing process.

That’s why you need my brand new FREE masterclass: The 3 Step Framework for a Finished Case Report

Save your seat at TheOncoPT.com/framework

Follow TheOncoPT on Instagram.
Follow TheOncoPT on TikTok.
Follow TheOncoPT on Twitter.

Trauma-informed care is super trendy to talk about in health care right now, but what does it actually mean & how do we implement it into practice?

This conversation with Dr. Adam Matichak emphasizes the importance of creating a safe & welcoming environment, through trauma-informed care, for patients to be seen, heard, & understood.

Dr. Matichak challenges us to be intentional & fully present during sessions to build trust & repair relationships with patients (yes, even if you didn’t break it in the first place).

Consider this episode your trauma-informed care crash course, plus how to actually implement this approach into your daily patient care.

Listen NOW.

Writing your oncology specialty exam case report is a huge undertaking.

And it’s easy to make silly mistakes that can derail your entire writing process.

That’s why you need my brand new FREE masterclass: The 3 Step Framework for a Finished Case Report

Save your seat at TheOncoPT.com/framework

Follow TheOncoPT on Instagram.
Follow TheOncoPT on TikTok.
Follow TheOncoPT on Twitter.

ICYMI the American Cancer Society estimates that 2,001,140 new cases of cancer will be diagnosed in 2024.

While treatable & in some cases curable, cancer is becoming a bigger problem than we probably thought possible. Survivors are surviving longer, but at what cost…to their lives, their independence, their function, their mobility, their quality of life?

PTs are perfectly primed & positioned to step up & care for this rapidly expanding patient population. But this requires you to step out of your comfort zone & step into being a competent, confident clinician commanding your expertise in this field.

And this is exactly why it’s so important to specialize in oncology NOW.

Writing your oncology specialty exam case report is a huge undertaking.

And it’s easy to make silly mistakes that can derail your entire writing process.

That’s why you need my brand new FREE masterclass: The 3 Step Framework for a Finished Case Report

Save your seat at TheOncoPT.com/framework

Follow TheOncoPT on Instagram.
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Holistic care is such a buzz phrase in health care, but is it actually possible in today’s cancer rehab?

The answer is a resounding yes, & Dr. Katie O’Bright shares exactly how in today’s podcast episode.

Dr. Katie O’Bright is a leading voice in primary care PT (yes, it’s a thing & not new at all), & she breaks down common misconceptions about primary care PT, how it actually works in physical therapy, plus how you’re probably ALREADY implementing primary care principles in your patient care.

Get inspired & practice better - LISTEN NOW!

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You’ve probably heard that oncology specialization is the best way to catapult your cancer rehab career - but what does this actually look like for a practicing clinician?

Sheree King, a physical therapist specializing in oncology, shares her journey of opening a private practice and becoming a board-certified specialist in oncology. Despite the challenges of starting a practice during COVID-19, Sheree has successfully expanded to multiple locations and is a go-to cancer rehab pro in her area.

Sheree shares her specialization journey, why she started, how she navigated specialization while running her private practice, & how it impacted her patient care along the way. gained recognition from oncology providers in her community.

If you’ve ever wondered if it’s possible to do & have it all in cancer rehab, listen NOW to this amazing interview with Sheree King!

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Advocacy is inherently part of physical therapy (advocating for your patients, advocating with other health care professionals, etc.).

We also need BIG ADVOCACY: advocating for your patients, for your profession, TO your elected officials.

BUT - it doesn’t mean drop everything & hop on a flight to Washington D.C.

Dr. Mercedes Aguirre Valenzuela, PT, (@ThePTAdvocate) is on the pod today to discuss the importance of advocacy as physical therapists, how to get involved, & how to realistically advocate while balancing your clinical work.

Because:

“If not you, then WHO?”

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TW: This episode talks about grief, loss, depression, suicide, & mental health. If you’re not in the headspace to listen to this episode, no worries friend. I’ll see you next time. 💜💜💜

In this intimate & vulnerable episode with Dr. Jimmy McKay & Dr. Rebekah Griffith, we talk about our own experiences with loss & grief. We cry, we laugh, we cry some more. This was a beautiful & raw episode, & we are all still trying to pick up the pieces & figure it out.

As much as we focus on how to be better OncoPTs on this podcast, we can’t remove YOU from the equation. And this is exactly why it’s so important to have these conversations, to sit with these hard feelings, & to seek support to keep going.

You are not alone. We are here for you, friend.

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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 challenging to treat, & much research still needs to be done to determine the best methods to treat CIPN. As today’s guest said, “we are really good at treating the cancer. We’re not good at treating the side effects.”

That statement is exactly why it’s so important for you to listen to today’s episode & start implementing Dr. Katie Schmitt’s protocol for your patients with CIPN.

Listen now! 🎧

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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.

Do you ever feel stuck treating neuropathy, like you’re hitting a brick wall? Same.

Neuropathy can be challenging to address, but it’s very common in cancer rehab. And it’s not just chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) either.

Guest Dr. Kayla Gomes, PT, breaks down her treatment approach for patients with neuropathy, no matter the cause. You’ll learn how to start evaluating & treating your patients with neuropathy, plus gain some additional tools for your neuropathy toolbox.

Listen now!

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