Pelvic Health, Psychosocial Wellness, and Case Studies
On-Demand
2.5 Hours
Available On-Demand until 01/01/2029
This continuing education course equips therapists with a comprehensive, clinically grounded framework for treating patients across the cancer care continuum.
Beginning with the physiological effects of chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, and radiation, participants will learn to recognize and manage complications such as chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy and radiation fibrosis, and to determine when and how rehabilitation can safely proceed alongside active treatment.
Through four in-depth case studies — metastatic lung cancer, head and neck cancer, brain tumor, and pelvic/rectal cancer — learners will apply evidence-based evaluation and intervention strategies to complex, real-world scenarios,
Presented by Spaulding Rehabilitation’s Oncology Special Interest Group, this course offers a blend of technical depth and human-centered insight — ideal for clinicians seeking to provide safer, more compassionate, and more effective care for people living with and beyond cancer.
Continuing Education Credits Anticipated: APTA (PT), AOTA (OT)
Pricing
MGB Employees: Free with coupon code and proof of MGB User ID
Click here for coupon code
Non MGB Employees: $70 or save by registering for this course as part of our four-course oncology bundle:
Register for our $100 oncology bundle now!
Learning Outcomes – Following this course, participants will be able to:
- Identify common adverse effects of chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, and radiation
- Describe evidence‑based rehabilitation interventions for patients with pelvic andcolorectal cancers, including considerations for sexual health and intimacy.
- Recognize common indicators of cancer‑related psychosocial distress—including anxiety, depression, and fatigue—and identify screening approaches and referral resources.
- Explain key evaluation components and rehabilitation considerations for patients with head and neck cancers, including the impact of radiation fibrosis and surgical interventions on functional outcomes.
- Apply a structured cancer‑specific history‑taking approach to gather comprehensive patient information, including diagnosis, treatment timeline, current medications, and functional status.
Time-Ordered Agenda
- Cancer Treatment, Common Side Effects and Treatment Recommendations: 30-minutes
- Case Study #1: Metastatic Lung Cancer: 15-minutes
- Case Study #2: Head and Neck Cancer: 25-minutes
- Case Study #3: Brain Cancer: 25-minutes
- Case Study #4: Pelvic Health: 25-minutes
- Psychosocial Wellness: 20-minutes
- Wrap-up: 10-minutes
Tina DiCenso-Fleming PT, DPT, CLT is an experienced physical therapist of 36 years. Her career has allowed her to work in a variety of clinical settings including acute care and various outpatient settings. Her roles include have included clinician, clinical supervisor and student mentor. She has been an adjunct faculty member at MGH Institute of Health Professions for the past 17 years. She has been a member of the APTA since 1987 and held several professional positions earlier in her career. Most of her clinical career has been focused on orthopedics, pelvic health, and oncology, ranging from acute to chronic conditions. Specific interest and experience in general oncology began early in her career while working in acute care. When she transitioned to the ambulatory setting furthering her education and skill level in both pelvic health and lymphedema management aided her in focusing on specific impairments and functional deficits brought on by medical interventions in diagnoses of breast cancer and various pelvic/genital cancers.
Maddie Keppel, PT, DPT is a board-certified Physical Therapist and has been practicing PT at Spaulding for over 4 years and has been recognized as an Advanced Clinician Level II. She has a special interest in Oncology rehabilitation and is currently pursuing a Graduate Certificate in Oncology Rehab through Oakland University. Maddie serves as the Vice Chair for the APTA Hospice and Palliative Care SIG and previously served as the Director of Membership and Communications. She has previously presented a course on rehabilitation techniques for polyneuropathies in the hands and feet. She is a graduate of Ithaca College where she received her Bachelor of Science in Clinical Health Studies with a minor in Coaching ’19 and her Doctorate of Physical Therapy ‘21.
Abigail Spaulding PT, DPT, NCS is a board-certified Physical therapist. She graduated from the University of Vermont with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy. She has worked at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts as a physical therapist since 2013 where she currently holds a full-time position on the Brain Injury Program. She became a Neurologic Clinical Specialist in 2016 and was recognized by Spaulding Rehabilitation Network as a Clinical Specialist in 2020. She is a co-leader of the SRH Brain Tumor and Serious Illness Task Force and member of SRN Oncology Special Interest Group.
Target Audience: Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists
Instructional Level: Introductory
Prerequisites: None
Cancellation Policy: Spaulding reserves the right to adjust components of this program or to cancel the program for unexpected occurrences. Notice of changes or cancellation will be provided expediently. Upon cancellation of a course, a refund for the price paid for the course will be given. A processing fee of $10 may be charged when the registrant provides written notice of cancellation of their attendance less than 7 business days prior to the program date. Tuition is non-refundable if the registrant does not provide notice of cancellation at least 7 days prior to the program date. Spaulding apologizes but will not be responsible for inconveniences incurred due to program changes.
Speaker Disclosures: Maddie Keppel is a salaried employee of MGB. She has no other financial or non-financial disclosures to share. Abigail Spaulding is a salaried employee of MGB. She has no other financial or non-financial disclosures to share. Tina Dicenso-Fleming is a salaried employee of MGB. She has no other financial or non-financial disclosures to share.
The Spaulding Rehabilitation Network is recognized as an approved provider of continuing education by AOTA. This course is offered for an anticipated .15 AOTA CEUs (Introductory level; OT Service Delivery and Foundational Knowledge category) pending approval. The assignment of AOTA CEU’s does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products or clinical procedures by AOTA.
The Spaulding Rehabilitation Network is recognized as an approved provider of continuing education by APTA. Information provided should be used within scope of practice. Anticipated 1.5 contact hours/CEHs.
SR Division of Education and Training CEU facilitators Marianne Savastano, MS, CCC-SLP; Katherine MacKirdy, MSPT, GCS, MPH;
Matt Keilty, OTR/L; and Kathleen Crosskill, MS, CCC-SLP
