On-Demand
1.5 Hours
Available On-Demand until 01/01/2029
As advances in cancer treatment continue to improve survival rates, rehabilitation professionals are increasingly caring for individuals living with and beyond cancer. This session provides a practical overview of therapy management for oncology patients, including the benefits and safety of exercise throughout the cancer continuum. Participants will review common hematologic cancers, treatment approaches, medication and laboratory value considerations, and key red flags that may impact rehabilitation planning. Through evidence-based recommendations and real-world case studies, learners will explore evaluation and intervention strategies for cancer-related fatigue, treatment-related deconditioning, weakness and balance impairments, and reduced aerobic capacity. Emphasis will be placed on safe exercise prescription, symptom monitoring, interdisciplinary communication, and clinical decision-making to support optimal patient outcomes.
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: $40 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 cancer treatments and their potential impact on a patient’s function and participation in therapy.
- Describe the benefits of therapeutic exercise for individuals with cancer
- Recognize key safety considerations and red flags, including lab value and treatment‑related precautions, when treating oncology patients
- Differentiate basic examination and intervention considerations for patients experiencing cancer‑related fatigue and treatment‑related deconditioning
- Recognize essential oncology‑related information in the medical record to support safe therapy planning
Time-Ordered Agenda
- 10 minutes – Course Overview, Learning Objectives, and Cancer Survivorship
- 15 minutes – Benefits of Exercise and Current Exercise Recommendations for Oncology Patients
- 15 minutes – Hematologic Cancers: Leukemia, Lymphoma, and Multiple Myeloma
- 15 minutes – Medication Considerations, Oncology History, and Medical Record Review
- 15 minutes – Laboratory Values, Safety Considerations, and Red Flags
- 10 minutes – Cancer-Related Fatigue and Deconditioning: Assessment and Management
- 5 minutes – Exercise Testing and Exercise Prescription Principles
- 5 minutes – Case Studies, Clinical Pearls, and Key Takeaways
Erin Milton, PT, DPT, NCS is a board‑certified neurological clinical specialist with extensive experience in acute care, inpatient rehabilitation, and outpatient neurologic physical therapy. She is a Clinical Specialist at Spaulding Rehabilitation Outpatient Center in Charlestown, MA, where she treats individuals with complex neurological conditions and mentors staff clinicians.
Previously, Dr. Milton spent over a decade at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, advancing to Physical Therapist IV and serving as a leader in clinical education, staff development, and acute care practice. She is an adjunct faculty member at Simmons University and has mentored residents and students through Boston University and the MGH Institute of Health Professions.
Her professional contributions include national conference presentations, peer‑reviewed publications, and service across multiple APTA and institutional special interest groups. Dr. Milton earned her DPT and BS in Rehabilitation Science from Northeastern University and has maintained board certification in neurologic physical therapy since 2014.
She is giving an education presentation to her fellow colleagues on intro and management of patients with blood and bone cancer.
Jessica Riggs Garton, PT, DPT, CLT Oncology Specialist is an Advanced Clinical Specialist at Spaulding Rehabilitation Network Outpatient Physical Therapy and a Board-Certified Oncology and Orthopedic Clinical Specialist, as well as a Certified Lymphedema Therapist. She earned her BS in Computer Engineering from Brown University in 2001 and worked in computer chip design for four years before transitioning to physical therapy. Jessica received her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the MGH Institute of Health Professions in 2008.
She has been an APTA-recognized Orthopedic Clinical Specialist since 2014, an Oncology Clinical Specialist since 2023, and a Certified Lymphedema Therapist since 2014. Jessica has worked at Spaulding Rehabilitation Network since 2021, currently at the Malden center, treating orthopedic, oncology, and cardiopulmonary populations.
Previously, she worked at Mass General Hospital from 2008–2021 as part of interdisciplinary teams in the Cancer Center Lifestyle Medicine Group and Pulmonary Rehabilitation program, where she developed oncology survivorship resources and cultivated a clinical interest in dysautonomia. Jessica is an active member of the APTA Oncology and Cardiopulmonary Sections and has served as a clinical lab instructor at Northeastern University for five years.
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: Erin Milton is a salaried employee of MGB. She has no other financial or non-financial disclosures to share. Jessica Riggs Garton 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
