If you are a physical therapist that is directly involved in a total care network, you may be pleased to know that you may now play a large role in assisting patients during the cancer recovery process.
When patients are undergoing treatments for cancer, the most common medical professionals involved in the process include nurses, radiologists, oncologists, primary care providers, and surgeons. In most instances, physical therapists are the last type of medical professional considered in the process.
However, as cancer survivorship increases, cancer rehabilitation is becoming a more prevalent field. As a result, physical therapists are now becoming an increasingly popular option during the cancer recovery process.
Early detection processes, standard treatments, and consistent advances in medical technology are resulting in many cancer patients being able to successfully overcome their illness. The American Cancer Society recently conducted a study. The findings stated that there was a 68% increase in survival rate from the years of 2003 and 2009, compared to the 48% five-year survival rate that was measured from the years of 1975 to 1977. Furthermore, an estimated 13 million people in the United States have a history of cancer and this is expected to increase at a rate of nearly 2 million each year. While that news is less than favorable, the positive outlook is that there will be even more cancer survivors as time progresses. However, to succeed in this endeavor, there must be more strategies for recovery. This is where the need for physical therapists arises.
It is a known fact that cancer treatment is extremely grueling for patients. During the course of the treatment and immediately thereafter, patients suffer from fatigue, weakness, and typically experience complications with compromised immune systems. The individuals that undergo treatment find that it becomes hard to engage in the daily tasks of living, physical exercise, and even finding the strength to get out of bed.
This is why physical therapy is a must.
PTs can help patients overcome the physical limitations that they face – especially if they are part of a total care network where an entire team is dedicated to their successful recovery.
According to research, as a physical therapist that is part of a total care network, you have the unique ability to help cancer recovery patients overcome complications associated with lymphedema, fatigue, pain, peripheral neuropathy, rebuilding endurance levels, and even complications that are genitourinary-based.
By working with the medical professionals that are part of your total care network, you can help many patients overcome the obstacles that are commonly experienced during the cancer recovery process. Not only will the patients recover more quickly, you are helping them learn skills that they can take with them for the duration of a lifetime and can be used in numerous applications.
If you would like to join a total care network that puts the patient and their health first, you should consider joining Colorado Physical Therapy Network today: https://coloradophysicaltherapynetwork.com/application-forms/
