At a glance: |
Course Description
The course instructs participants in the clinical skill sets and techniques needed to effectively deliver well structured specialized oncology rehabilitation therapy to pelvic, GI and digestive cancer patients in any phase of their cancer treatment and beyond. Examples of the types of cancer diagnoses that could be treated based on the clinical skills and algorithms in this course are:
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The clinical skill sets and techniques instructed in PORi are based on integrated treatment models designed to include Myofascial Trigger Point Release, Joint Mobilization, Neural Mobilization, Lymphatic Manual Drainage, Pain Mitigation and Functional Restoration.
These techniques are placed in the context of understanding the physiological and anatomical effects of cancer treatments including specific surgical interventions, chemotherapy regimens, radiation therapy, and adjuvant medications.
Careful study is made of the impact of cancer treatment on the Epidermal, Dermal, Myofascial, Skeletal, Lymphatic, Vascular and Neural Systems, and the treatment protocols instructed by PORi relate to the optimal resolution of signs and symptoms within these body systems.
All of the clinical skill sets and techniques instructed within PORi are derived from evidence-based clinical applications within the scope of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy practice. One of the more defining elements of PORi, presented alongside PT/OT evidence-based clinical application, is the necessary physiological and anatomical knowledge unique to the oncology patient population, which is required by qualified practitioners to accurately and safely implement oncology-specific treatment plans and realistic goal-based outcomes for this patient population.
These techniques are placed in the context of understanding the physiological and anatomical effects of cancer treatments including specific surgical interventions, chemotherapy regimens, radiation therapy, and adjuvant medications.
Careful study is made of the impact of cancer treatment on the Epidermal, Dermal, Myofascial, Skeletal, Lymphatic, Vascular and Neural Systems, and the treatment protocols instructed by PORi relate to the optimal resolution of signs and symptoms within these body systems.
All of the clinical skill sets and techniques instructed within PORi are derived from evidence-based clinical applications within the scope of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy practice. One of the more defining elements of PORi, presented alongside PT/OT evidence-based clinical application, is the necessary physiological and anatomical knowledge unique to the oncology patient population, which is required by qualified practitioners to accurately and safely implement oncology-specific treatment plans and realistic goal-based outcomes for this patient population.
Live Patient Presentations
Running over 28hrs, the course includes live patient case presentations of patients who have undergone a variety of treatments for pelvic or GI cancer and present with a variety of conditions and side-effects relating to their cancer treatments. A patient case presentation can run as long as 3 hours and participants are given the opportunity, with guided supervision from the instructor, to perform subjective and objective evaluations on these patients, as well as practice the appropriate techniques (presented in the course) on the patients during these lab sessions.
Examination
On the final day, participants are required to complete a 1hr written examination and follow this with an initial evaluation and instructor-observed treatment session on a pelvic or GI cancer patient (who has not been one of the patients previously presented). Competency and proficiency in the techniques of oncology rehabilitation therapy and an understanding of the effects of cancer treatments on the body’s systems will be tested.
Target Audience for the Course
Qualified and Licensed Physical Therapists and Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapy Assistants and Occupational Therapy Assistants are the target audience for the course.
Ratio of Instructor to Participants
The classes are restricted to small groups of 6-12 participants per instructor (max of 14 participants will be considered on a case by case basis) so as to ensure optimal assimilation of information and concepts presented in the course, as well as proficiency in techniques in the hands-on lab sessions.
Running over 28hrs, the course includes live patient case presentations of patients who have undergone a variety of treatments for pelvic or GI cancer and present with a variety of conditions and side-effects relating to their cancer treatments. A patient case presentation can run as long as 3 hours and participants are given the opportunity, with guided supervision from the instructor, to perform subjective and objective evaluations on these patients, as well as practice the appropriate techniques (presented in the course) on the patients during these lab sessions.
Examination
On the final day, participants are required to complete a 1hr written examination and follow this with an initial evaluation and instructor-observed treatment session on a pelvic or GI cancer patient (who has not been one of the patients previously presented). Competency and proficiency in the techniques of oncology rehabilitation therapy and an understanding of the effects of cancer treatments on the body’s systems will be tested.
Target Audience for the Course
Qualified and Licensed Physical Therapists and Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapy Assistants and Occupational Therapy Assistants are the target audience for the course.
Ratio of Instructor to Participants
The classes are restricted to small groups of 6-12 participants per instructor (max of 14 participants will be considered on a case by case basis) so as to ensure optimal assimilation of information and concepts presented in the course, as well as proficiency in techniques in the hands-on lab sessions.
Course Objectives - PORi Core: Pelvic & GI Cancer Rehabilitation Course
- To describe cancer pathogenesis, including the functional behavior of tumor cells, how these elements of biology and physiology shape chemotherapy and radiation therapy as well as metastatic patterns.
- To explain a clinical foundation of management for individual cancer patients using four elements of predictability of care related to tumor behavior (in-situ, invasive, node involvement, and metastatic) based on the AJCC Staging and Grading of cancer pathology.
- To accurately list at least for anatomical/physiological body systems to be included in the evaluation, examination and treatment of patients with Pelvic/GI cancer using the PORi body systems approach.
- To differentiate between the key treatment goals of patients based on the patient’s disease stage and PORi body systems approach.
- To demonstrate clinical understanding, as a rehabilitation specialist, the implications of chemotherapy side effects including myelosuppression, cancer related fatigue, cardiotoxicity, gastrointestinal and hormone changes in patients undergoing Pelvic/GI cancer.
- To recognize and identify at least two clinical signs and/or symptoms of differential diagnosis in oncology patients with progressive metastatic disease including appropriate physician referrals.
- To identify the various classifications of oncologic emergencies and describe the evidence-based clinical presentation of two or more of these oncologic emergencies.
- To develop safe and appropriate oncology exercise programs based on PORi body systems approach for Pelvic/GI oncology patients.
- To effectively utilize appropriate, evidence-based Functional Outcome Measurement Tools, Objective Measurements, and Quality of Life Measurement Tools for the evaluation and treatment of the Pelvic/GI cancer patient population.
- To identify the deeper physiological impact of all elements of cancer treatment on the body’s systems to provide patient education, promote active lifestyles and to mitigate life-long sequelae of survivorship challenges.
- To use pathways of care to effectively implement early rehabilitation throughout the survivorship continuum including prehab, surgical intervention, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, metastatic management and end of life care.
- To demonstrate effective patient evaluation questioning to direct effective and efficient examination of patients with Pelvic/GI cancers.
- To demonstrate at least one manual technique and one movement-based skill for each body system for cancer-related side effects from medical oncological management.
- To explain how surgical impact to the abdominopelvic lymphatics impacts a patient’s lymphatic functional capacity and implications for lymphatic disease, aerodigestive and urogenital dysfunctions.
- To implement an oncology rehabilitation program into clinical practice using key PORI management pathways, PORI body systems evaluation, examination and treatment approach, that is within the scope of professional practice
- To be able to justify, market and promote patient referrals into a comprehensive oncology rehabilitation program including prehab, during and following active medical cancer treatment