Looking Toward My Future

I am overjoyed to announce that starting July 1, 2020, I will be the first-ever Cancer Rehabilitation Fellow Physician in Philadelphia. After years of hard work, hours of studying, countless interviews, thousands of patients, and very little sleep, I am finally taking the next step in my career. Several of you have been asking where I will be next year and I can finally assure you that I will be staying in the City of Brotherly Love (but really I'm on Cloud 9).

Having just come back from our annual assembly medical conference for AAPM&R (American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation), I thought what better time to share the news? I also met a follower at the conference who was excited to hear about my fellowship and wanted to learn more. She asked me to share information about Cancer Rehabilitation on social media so here you go:

WHAT IS CANCER REHABILITATION MEDICINE?

Within the field of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, there are several subspecialties such as Traumatic Brain Injury, Spinal Cord Injury, Pain Medicine, Palliative Care, Sports Medicine, and one of the fastest-growing areas: Cancer Rehabilitation. This subspecialty focuses on the care of patients within the cancer population, helping to alleviate cancer treatment side effects. These include nerve and musculoskeletal complaints, pain, fatigue, cognitive issues, weakness, and lymphedema (swelling from lymph node blockage). These issues can arise from chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and/or surgery. As a Cancer Rehabilitation physician, we are part of a multi-disciplinary panel of cancer care experts. The team includes oncologists, radiation oncologists, and other specialties in addition to therapists. Together, we work to incorporate several different modalities and interventions for our patients. These range from physical, occupational, and speech therapy, to procedures, injections, and medications.

SIDE NOTE: Speaking of multi-disciplinary teams, one of the things I love most about Physiatry is that I am surrounded by an amazingly talented and smart group of physicians with different backgrounds. We are always available to support each other, from working through a differential diagnosis to facilitating connections and offering clinical pearls of wisdom. These two (@priyanca and @elmoosh) especially deserve a round of applause for everything they have done for their patients (and for me). So happy to have spent the week with them in San Antonio, Texas at our AAPM&R conference!

HOW IS CANCER REHAB DIFFERENT FROM PALLIATIVE?

As physiatrists, we focus on improving a patient's strength and quality of life. Cancer Rehabilitation is closely associated with palliative care medicine but our patients' prognoses will vary, from being in remission to requiring hospice. There is an overlap in psychosocial and family planning as well as functional assessments. However, these cases do not always warrant palliative care consultation (i.e. for goals of care and end of life discussion). The main focus is to optimize cancer patients to get back to their activities of daily living (ADLs) and independence.

WHAT IS CANCER PRE-HABILITATION?

Pre-habilitation is when we implement a treatment plan for our patients as soon as they are diagnosed with cancer to help increase a patient's strength and function prior to receiving treatment. These include exercises and therapy, massage, cardiovascular and cardiopulmonary training. Several clinical studies have been conducted showing improved outcomes, better tolerance, and reduced disability.

WHY CHOOSE CANCER REHABILITATION?

Throughout my life, I have strived to embody the role of a cheerleader - one who brings spirit and encouragement to others. As part of a cheerleading squad growing up, I learned the importance of teamwork, communication, and positivity. These values have stuck with me throughout college, medical school, and residency. They played a pivotal role in what led me to the field of Physiatry, where we motivate our patients every day to get up and moving so they can build their strength and stamina. Working with the cancer population, I was surrounded by determination, resilience, and enthusiasm that made me feel connected and fulfilled in a way I had not before. There is a whole world of medical knowledge I have yet to learn to build my foundation and skills in this area. What better place to start making history than the birthplace of America? I look forward to expanding Cancer Rehabilitation further as a pioneer, a cheerleader, and a physician.



I cannot wait to take you all on this next journey. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or want to know how you can get involved in the field of Cancer Rehabilitation.