Why take this course?

This intermediate continuing education course is applicable for PTs, PTAs, ATs and OTs who wish to further their current skill sets to include specialized treatments for the patient with cancer. The emphasis in this course is on learning the current medical and surgical management for the following cancers: breast, prostate, lung, colorectal, gynecological, lymphomas and leukemias. The therapist will learn how and when to most effectively intervene throughout the continuum of care to treat side effects encountered from cancer, and it’s treatments, including pre-habilitation programs.

This course will expand on the therapists’ knowledge of the tissue healing and disease processes and how each system of the body is affected from surgical, hormonal, immunotherapy, chemotherapy, and radiation treatments. Extensive lab time will be devoted to perfecting and applying both manual therapy skills and developing appropriate therapeutic exercise/activity programs. Treatment approaches learned in this course will allow the therapist to effectively develop treatment protocols for the achievement of functional outcomes, allow for maximum reimbursement, and reduce hospital readmissions for the patient with cancer.

This course will enable the therapist to become a knowledgeable and active participant of the oncology team and effectively market cancer rehab services while working towards making cancer rehabilitation a standard of care.

Course Objectives

• Describe the underlying mechanisms of carcinogenesis, the current medical and surgical management for the treatment of cancers and their associated side-effects.
• Describe the relationship between cancer treatments and tissue healing and how co-morbidities impact patients with cancer.
• Identify histologic presentation, staging and grading of cancer in order to understand the Therapeutic intent of oncologic management and develop appropriate plans of care.
• Identify cancer diagnoses that would benefit from rehab intervention and where in the continuum of cancer care therapists can most effectively intervene.
• Perform specialized manual therapy skills and develop individualized therapeutic exercise/activity programs with existing orthopedic skill sets to decrease pain, fatigue,and edema and improve motion and balance in patients with cancer.
• Develop prehabilitation programs, functional goals, and appropriate plans of care for the following diagnoses: breast, head and neck, gynecological, prostate, lung, colorectal, leukemias, and lymphomas to achieve functional outcomes and reduce hospital readmissions.
• Identify and utilize appropriate billing codes to maximize reimbursement for the patient with cancer.
• Design a holistic multi-system approach when developing and implementing strategies for treating a cancer patient by understanding the effects of cancer on the respiratory, lymphatic, nervous, musculoskeletal, integumentary, and cardiovascular systems of the body.
• Discuss the specialized services you can offer for the patient with cancer and the vital role you contribute to the Oncology Interdisciplinary Team.

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Instructed by: Carrie Riddock, MSPT, CLT-LANA

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State Continuing Education Course Approvals

All courses are pre-approved by the state licensing boards for physical therapists, physical therapy assistants and occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants and athletic trainers for license renewal in the state the course is offered.

Courses provided by AOTA providers are accepted by NBCOT. 1 hour = 1.25 PDU. North American Seminars is an AOTA provider, provider #4487

North American Seminars, Inc. (BOC provider #P2047) is approved by the Board of Certification, Inc. to provide continuing education to Athletic Trainers. This program is eligible for the maximum stated hours of Category A hours/CEUs. Athletic Trainers should claim only those hours actually spent in the education program.

Special Need Request - Please submit a help ticket if you require any special needs in regards to registering or attending a course.