April 2022 Update on Federal Legislation.

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Do You Want to be an Item Writer?

The item writing workshops are a great way to engage and to learn about constructing good test questions. If you are interested in item writing for the Oncology Physical Therapist Clinical Specialist Board Certification Examination, please consider attending an Oncology Virtual Item Writing Workshop. There is a need for physical therapist item writers to help develop test question concepts and content. If you attend this workshop you are not prevented from sitting for the specialist examination.

• When: Saturdays in 2022: 9:30 am – 5:30 pm EST April 9th, September 10th, and November 5th.
• Where: Online on APTA ABPTS Zoom
• What you need: Laptop that has WIFI and internet capabilities and reference material

Please RSVP or send questions to Item Review Coordinator, Oncology Specialty Council Jackie Drouin, PT, PhD: jacqueline.m.drouin@gmail.com

Thank you for offering your time and expertise. Officers shall assume their duties at the close of CSM 2022 in February.

• Chair: Rachel Hać, PT, DPT, Board-Certified Specialist in Oncologic Physical Therapy
• Secretary: Shweta Subramani, PT, MHS, CLT, Certified Exercise Expert in Aging Adults (CEEAA), Credentialed Clinical Instructor (CCI), PWR! Moves Certified Therapist

• Vice President: Frannie Westlake, PT, DPT, Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Neurologic and Oncologic Physical Therapy
• Secretary: Shounak Shah, PT, DPT, Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Geriatric Physical Therapy, Certified Lymphedema Therapist
• Nominating Committee: Amy Compston, PT, DPT, CRT, Certified Lymphedema Therapist

APTA Oncology member, Nicole Stout, research assistant professor with the WVU School of Public Health and WVU Cancer Institute, has been appointed to a WHO Development Group on the topic of cancer rehabilitation.

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This program will provide didactic lectures and live role-play skills practice in patient-clinician communication, relevant to working with older oncology patients and their caregivers. This training is open to any healthcare provider who has an interest in working with older adults with cancer (particularly those who are facing cognitive decline). More information and registration can be found HERE.

Dr. Galantino, APTA Oncology’s representative on the Commission on Cancer, has been advocating for expanded access to telehealth and tele-mental health services. She recently met with One Voice Against Cancer (OVAC) to advocate for increased funding for NIH and the CDC.

APTA Oncology is proud to announce and offers congratulations to its second class of board-certified clinical specialists in oncologic physical therapy.

Looking for additional resources on how to optimize care for patients with cancer during the pandemic? American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), National Cancer Institute (NCI), and National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) have provided valuable information. Please check their websites for updates as the public health situation continues to evolve.

Mary Lou Galantino, the Academy’s representative to the Commission on Cancer (CoC) has provided an update, which includes the 2020 CoC Standards. Please see the additional cross walk document which was developed to facilitate implementation of these standards. Lastly, there will be a platform discussion regarding national oncology accreditation standards on Friday morning at CSM- please attend and prepare for a rich dialogue!