Oncology physiotherapists

• What is Kelly Strong's main job in the hospital?

  To get people up and moving if they’ve had a change in their mobility since being admitted.
• How did Kelly Strong discover the oncology side of physiotherapy?

  Through a placement as a student.
• What does a typical workday for Kelly Strong involve?

  • Coordinating schedule to see if patients have new assessments
  • Evaluating movement and comparing it to discharge needs
  • Determining the best place for patients to go if needs do not match
  • Coordinating with different team members
• What does Kelly Strong enjoy about her work?

  Getting people to enjoy their rehab activities to help them achieve their goals.
• What is Kathryn Elias's role in oncology?

  She is a Macmillan oncology physiotherapist.
• What issue did Kathryn Elias identify in patient care?

  Patients diagnosed with metastatic spinal cord compression were not getting the service they needed.
• What new rehab pathway did Kathryn Elias create?

  Patients are referred within 24 hours to a physiotherapist.
• How did Kathryn Elias's intervention impact patient mobility?

  Before her input, 80% of patients were discharged with a disability; this decreased to 30% after her intervention.
• What modern technology did Kathryn Elias incorporate into rehabilitation?

  The use of the Nintendo Wii for visual feedback.
• What was Diane struggling with post-surgery?

  She was struggling with her arm and wanted to fix her pain.
• What assumption do patients with a cancer diagnosis often make about pain?

  They assume the cancer has come back.
• What message does an oncology physiotherapist convey regarding pain?

  That the cancer hasn’t come back and it’s part of the treatment they are having.
• Why is physical activity important for cancer survivors?

  It is crucially important for survival rates in cancer.
• What goal did Diane set for herself with the help of her physiotherapist?

  To work towards doing a mud run.