The Cancer Rehab Community Conference-2025

Learning Objectives

Overall Conference Learning Outcomes:


  1. Participants will apply evidence-based safety and therapeutic principles in oncology rehabilitation to improve functional outcomes for clients.

  2. Participants will evaluate clinical strategies that promote occupational engagement across physical, emotional, and cognitive domains.

  3. Participants will describe OT best practices and analyze how interdisciplinary collaboration contributes to effective oncology rehab programming and service delivery.


Session-Based Learning Outcomes:


Navigating Uncertainty in Oncology Rehabilitation: Communication Strategies to Elevate Your Practice When 'I Don’t Know' is the Answer

  1. Identify sources of uncertainty in oncology rehabilitation and implement strategies to navigate complex patient care scenarios.

  2. Describe the defined scope of practice for rehabilitation professionals in oncology care and its role in interdisciplinary collaboration.

  3. Develop effective patient-centered communication techniques to enhance shared decision-making and support patients through their rehabilitation journey. 


Tackling Social Determinants of Health and Reducing Cancer Care Disparities in Oncology Rehab

  1. Define common terminology related to Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) and minority and underserved medical communities

  2. Discuss the impact of SDOH and policy on access to oncology care and oncology-related outcomes to underserved populations

  3. Describe strategies to expand and improve inclusive care for minorities and underserved populations within cancer survivorship


Getting Back in The Game: Return to Sport in Cancer Survivorship

  1. Identify the components of sport performance, how each could be impacted by cancer treatment, and specific measures to assess for readiness to return to play. 

  2. Analyze current return to sport literature available within the oncology populations across the lifespan. 

  3. Recognize areas for further research in the return to play and guidelines to aid other health professionals working with these populations. 


A return to independent ambulation after a diagnosis of neurolymphomatosis.

1. Course attendees will be able to identify the clinical differential diagnosis of spinal stenosis, peripheral nerve injury, and neurolymphomatosis.

2. The therapist will be able to interpret the patient’s clinical presentation to establish a functional plan of care.

3. The therapist will be able to describe the gait deviations present as a result of the neural involvement from the condition of neurolymphomatosis.


Let's talk about Death

  1. Be able to recognize and process grief in clinical practice.

  2. Be able to communicate effectively and tactfully in difficult situations. 

  3. Be able to implement self care self care strategies to maintain professional and personal well being.


Lean on Me: A Case-Based Approach to Multi-Disciplinary Care in Cancer Survivorship

  1. Identify the common themes in long term cancer survivorship

  2. Describe the roles of the physical therapist, dietitian, and social worker in addressing the long-term needs of cancer survivors

  3. Postulate on the learner’s ability to engage and collaborate with other allied health professionals in meeting the long-term needs of cancer survivors


Utilizing Implementation Strategy to guide Prospective Cancer Surveillance in a Large Healthcare System

1. Identify the two major components of the Knowledge to Action Framework for implementation of prospective surveillance.

2. Identify common themes in the research supporting oncology surveillance and integrated rehabilitation in survivorship care.

3. Develop strategies for engaging with local cancer institutes to promote rehabilitation services for cancer survivors.

4. Explore approaches for standardizing outcome metrics to ensure consistency and best practices in cancer surveillance and rehabilitation.


Beyond Movement: Using VR as a Skilled PT & OT Intervention in Oncology Rehab

  1. Describe the key clinical applications of virtual reality in oncology rehabilitation, including pain management, motor control, and endurance training.

  2. Apply practical implementation strategies to integrate virtual reality into patient treatment sessions, including positioning, cueing, safety considerations, and session structure.

  3. Document and justify the use of VR as a skilled therapeutic intervention within PT and OT treatment plans, ensuring compliance with rehabilitation billing and documentation standards.


Pelvic Floor Dysfunctions and Breast Cancer Survivorship

  1. Recall various important functions of the pelvic floor associated with various types of pelvic floor dysfunctions

  2. Identify common pelvic floor dysfunctions that impact breast cancer survivors and normal physiological function in common dysfunctions

  3. Differential diagnosis pelvic floor dysfunctions


Immunotherapy and considerations for the oncology rehab clinician.

  1. Demonstrate knowledge about the different types of immunotherapies and the effects they may have on different body systems.

  2. Differentiate between immunotherapy side effects and those of traditional chemotherapy.

  3. Identify barriers to rehab for patients receiving immunotherapy and discuss ways to establish early care by the oncology rehab team.