TheOncoPT Podcast

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330

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Aug 2026

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About the show

Welcome to TheOncoPT Podcast, where you'll learn how to be a confident, competent oncology physical therapist from oncology experts, practitioners, & patients.

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September 8, 2026Episode 4088 min

Haven't Started Your Case Report Yet? Here's What to Do Right Now

Send us Fan Mail If your oncology case report deadline is creeping up and you haven't started yet, take a breath — you're likely not as behind as it feels. In this episode, I walk through exactly what to do next, including the one decision that has to happen in the next 24 hours, and how to build a minimum viable outline instead of falling into the perfectionism trap. We cover: Why choosing your case report topic is the one non-negotiable step for today, and what to do if you're still stuck on it How to outline your case presentation, introduction, and discussion sections without getting pulled into research too early Why perfectionism is the biggest obstacle on a shortened timeline — and why "done, not perfect" is the actual goal right now The counterintuitive reason you should get feedback earlier, not later, when you're on a tight timeline Your single action step for today If you're feeling behind, this episode is built to help you get moving with a clear, realistic plan instead of panicking. Resources mentioned: Free Case Report Idea Generator Case Report Writing Workshop Watch this episode on YouTube New episodes for oncology physical therapists every Tuesday — subscribe so you don't miss one. 🎓 FREE TRAINING: From Confused to Confident — a 4-step framework (SCAN) for decoding any question on your oncology specialist exam. Free at https://TheOncoPT.com/scan 📝 The Practice Exam Bundle is here year-round — no deadline on this one. 150 original case-based questions across 3 timed exams, with full rationales. $249 for all three. Follow TheOncoPT on Instagram. Follow TheOncoPT on LinkedIn.

September 3, 202625 min

He Wrote His Case Report on an ICU 'Unicorn' Patient — Here's What Happened

Send us Fan Mail A lot of oncology physical therapists sit down to start their ABPTS case report and immediately wonder: am I even prepared for this? In this episode, I talk with Dr. Mico Pagkalinawan, an inpatient oncology PT (newly board certified!) who was in your very shoes last year, listening to this podcast, deciding if he was ready to take on specialization. We cover: How Mico began in oncology, including the patients who made the biggest difference in his early career Mico's timeline, how he started "late," & why that ended up being completely fine The complex "unicorn" case he chose for his case report, & why he picked such a layered case Mico's writing tips, including the advice he'd give if he started all over again This is part 1 of a two-part conversation. Part 2 — covering how he prepared for and passed the board exam — releases later this fall. 🎓 FREE TRAINING: From Confused to Confident — a 4-step framework (SCAN) for decoding any question on your oncology specialist exam. Free at https://TheOncoPT.com/scan 🎄 Christmas in July: Get the Complete Oncology Specialist Package (Bootcamp + Case Report Writing Workshop + MOSC course) at our lowest price of the year — through July 31st. Join now and get the MOSC course free at launch: https://TheOncoPT.com/SPECIALIST 📝 The Practice Exam Bundle is here year-round — no deadline on this one. 150 original case-based questions across 3 timed exams, with full rationales. $249 for all three. Follow TheOncoPT on Instagram. Follow TheOncoPT on LinkedIn.

September 1, 2026Episode 40716 min

You Have 3 Weeks Left to Submit - Here's Your Plan

Send us Fan Mail If you're three weeks out from the ABPTS case report deadline and you're staring at a blank page wondering if it's even possible to finish in time... The answer is yes, but only if you stop treating this like a project you chip away at and start treating it like what it actually is : a sprint with a finish line. In this episode, I walk through the exact three-week operational plan I give my own clients when they're down to the wire on their oncology specialization case report. We cover: Why writing your case report in order is the slowest possible way to do it Why building it in the order that's easiest to write (not easiest to read) will save you hours of stalled-out frustration. Week 1: zero in on your "case angle," build your skeleton Week 2: draft, draft, draft Week 3: polish, feedback, & the final submission checklist And your emergency triage plan if things go wrong You already have the clinical expertise. This episode gives you the roadmap to get it into a submission-ready case report — on time. 🎓 FREE TRAINING: From Confused to Confident — a 4-step framework (SCAN) for decoding any question on your oncology specialist exam. Free at https://TheOncoPT.com/scan 📝 The Practice Exam Bundle is here year-round — no deadline on this one. 150 original case-based questions across 3 timed exams, with full rationales. $249 for all three. Follow TheOncoPT on Instagram. Follow TheOncoPT on LinkedIn.

August 25, 2026Episode 40617 min

Choosing Your Case Report Topic: How to Pick a Patient Case That Actually Works

Send us Fan Mail Choosing your case is the very first decision point in your entire case report writing process, and it's where a lot of candidates get stuck BEFORE they've written a single sentence . In this episode, I break down how to choose a patient case that actually works for your ABPTS oncology case report — and why the instinct to pick your rarest, most complex case is usually the wrong move. We cover: Why ABPTS isn't looking for a medical mystery, and what "workable" actually means The "zebra case" trap: why the most interesting cases in the clinic are often the hardest to write well 3 real, anonymized examples of strong case reports built on common diagnoses — breast cancer-related lymphedema, head and neck cancer deconditioning, and metastatic bone disease with mobility decline A 5-question litmus test to run your case options through before you commit The simple rule: choose a case you can prove, not just one you can describe If you're feeling stuck between a couple of case options, or unsure whether the case you're leaning toward is actually strong enough, this episode will help you get unstuck. Resources mentioned: Case Report Writing Workshop (open now) Free Case Report Idea Generator Watch this episode on YouTube New episodes for oncology physical therapists every Tuesday — subscribe so you don't miss one. 🎓 FREE TRAINING: From Confused to Confident — a 4-step framework (SCAN) for decoding any question on your oncology specialist exam. Free at https://TheOncoPT.com/scan 📝 The Practice Exam Bundle is here year-round — no deadline on this one. 150 original case-based questions across 3 timed exams, with full rationales. $249 for all three. Follow TheOncoPT on Instagram. Follow TheOncoPT on LinkedIn.

August 18, 2026Episode 40516 min

3 Case Report Mistakes That Get Applications Rejected

Send us Fan Mail Imagine spending weeks, or MONTHS on your ABPTS oncology case report...only to receive a rejection email. This happens more often than you'd think, and often for reasons that have nothing to do with the quality of patient care behind the case. In this episode, I break down the 3 biggest mistakes that cause brilliant case reports to be rejected, every single cycle. We cover: Why choosing a "simple," uncomplicated patient case is actually a mistake, not a shortcut What ABPTS is really looking for: not a narrative, but an evidence-based argument for your clinical reasoning A simple "because" framework to make your specialist-level thinking obvious throughout your report The most common mechanical errors — missing sections, ignoring the template, sloppy references The single most common reason candidates get rejected: forgetting the care statement A simple, disciplined process for catching all of this before you submit All three mistakes are completely avoidable — but only if you know to look for them BEFORE you hit submit, not after. Resources mentioned: Case Report Writing Workshop (open now) Free Case Report Idea Generator Watch this episode on YouTube New episodes for oncology physical therapists every Tuesday — subscribe so you don't miss one. 🎓 FREE TRAINING: From Confused to Confident — a 4-step framework (SCAN) for decoding any question on your oncology specialist exam. Free at https://TheOncoPT.com/scan 📝 The Practice Exam Bundle is here year-round — no deadline on this one. 150 original case-based questions across 3 timed exams, with full rationales. $249 for all three. Follow TheOncoPT on Instagram. Follow TheOncoPT on LinkedIn.

August 13, 202623 min

Her Path to Board Certification, Part 1: Nickie Brooks on Specializing and Writing Her Case Report

Send us Fan Mail This week, I'm joined by Dr. Nickie Brooks, a board-certified oncology specialist treating oncology and pelvic floor patients outside Philadelphia. This is a full, extended conversation, and it's the first of two parts. Nickie's path into oncology PT wasn't a straight line. She started in outpatient ortho, got burnt out within months, found her way into lymphedema and oncology largely without built-in mentorship, and at one point left her job to walk 500 miles across Spain on the Camino de Santiago before deciding what came next. Eventually, she landed at a hospital-based practice with a full oncology rehab team... and decided it was time to pursue her specialization. In this episode, we talk about: What it's actually like to specialize in oncology PT without a built-in support system nearby The moment she decided to commit to specialization, and what motivated her to follow through How she chose the patient case she ultimately wrote her case report on The hardest part of the case report writing process, and what changed once she got real support What she wishes she'd known about the ABPTS application portal before she started How she ended up submitting a case report that required zero edits... with results back in just 3 days This conversation ends on a bit of a cliffhanger - Part 2 is coming later this fall, when it's time to talk exam prep. Trust me, you won't want to miss it. Resources mentioned: Case Report Writing Workshop: https://TheOncoPT.com/workshop Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PyZDqo4_tC0 New episodes for oncology physical therapists every Tuesday - subscribe so you don't miss one. 🎓 FREE TRAINING: From Confused to Confident — a 4-step framework (SCAN) for decoding any question on your oncology specialist exam. Free at https://TheOncoPT.com/scan 📝 The Practice Exam Bundle is here year-round — no deadline on this one. 150 original case-based questions across 3 timed exams, with full rationales. $249 for all three. Follow TheOncoPT on Instagram. Follow TheOncoPT on LinkedIn.

August 11, 2026Episode 4049 min

How Her Case Report Got Published in a Journal — Her Process, Step by Step

Send us Fan Mail My client Nickie joined the Case Report Writing Workshop because she knew she needed to write a case report for her oncology specialization application — and she wanted real guidance and feedback to get through it. She wrote it, submitted it, got accepted with zero required edits, and passed her exam. AND THEN a peer-reviewed journal, Oncology Rehab and Practice, accepted her case report for publication! In this episode, Nickie joins me to walk through her process from start to finish, in her own words — including where she started (spoiler: "I don't think I want to do this"), the mistake she almost made with her introduction, what the ABPTS application portal actually looks like, and the formatting habit that made all the difference. We cover: Why Nickie, who doesn't consider herself a writer, almost didn't want to start this process at all The common mistake of starting with your introduction, and why it should actually come near the end What candidates aren't told about the ABPTS application portal — and how that changes how you should outline your case report The specific formatting habits that got her accepted in 3 days with zero required edits Why multiple readers, including people outside of oncology, made her final draft stronger What it took to adapt her case report for journal submission after her ABPTS acceptance This isn't a promise that everyone who goes through the workshop gets published — that's not the standard, and it's an exciting first for us. But Nickie's story is a real example of what's possible with the right process and support behind you. Resources mentioned: Case Report Writing Workshop: https://TheOncoPT.com/workshop Full video version of this episode (watch Nickie tell her story): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MY_uboY-AgM New episodes for oncology physical therapists every Tuesday — subscribe so you don't miss one. 🎓 FREE TRAINING: From Confused to Confident — a 4-step framework (SCAN) for decoding any question on your oncology specialist exam. Free at https://TheOncoPT.com/scan 📝 The Practice Exam Bundle is here year-round — no deadline on this one. 150 original case-based questions across 3 timed exams, with full rationales. $249 for all three. Follow TheOncoPT on Instagram. Follow TheOncoPT on LinkedIn.

August 4, 2026Episode 40318 min

Blank Page to Submission-Ready: My Exact Case Report Writing Process

Send us Fan Mail If you've ever sat down to start your ABPTS case report and just stared at the screen... ...You're not behind, and you're not missing some innate writing talent. You're missing a process. In this episode, I walk you through the exact 4-phase system I use with my oncology PT specialization coaching clients to take a case report from a blank page to submission-ready, WITHOUT the last-minute panic. We cover: Why the ambiguity of "what does done even look like" is what actually causes case report paralysis - not a lack of writing skill Phase 1: Foundation -- how to pick a case that's genuinely worth writing up, and why a quick literature review early on can save you weeks of wasted effort Phase 2: Drafting -- the outline structure that makes the blank page disappear, and the counterintuitive order I recommend drafting your sections in (hint: your case presentation comes first, not your introduction) Phase 3: Polish -- why you need outside reviewers, and why your abstract, title, and references should always be the very last things you write Phase 4: Submission -- the final steps to get your case report out the door and off your plate for good Whether you're just starting to think about your case report or you're mid-draft and stuck, this episode gives you a clear, repeatable path forward. Resources mentioned: Free Case Report Idea Generator: https://TheOncoPT.com/generator Case Report Writing Workshop: https://TheOncoPT.com/workshop Full video version of this episode (with visual walkthrough): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6u7qPWzouw Coming up next week: the story of a Case Report Writing Workshop client who used this exact process to get her case report accepted by ABPTS and published in a peer-reviewed journal. New episodes for oncology physical therapists every Tuesday - subscribe so you don't miss one. 🎓 FREE TRAINING: From Confused to Confident — a 4-step framework (SCAN) for decoding any question on your oncology specialist exam. Free at https://TheOncoPT.com/scan 📝 The Practice Exam Bundle is here year-round — no deadline on this one. 150 original case-based questions across 3 timed exams, with full rationales. $249 for all three. Follow TheOncoPT on Instagram. Follow TheOncoPT on LinkedIn.

July 28, 2026Episode 40222 min

Use This Strategy For IMPOSSIBLE Exam Questions

Send us Fan Mail You're cruising through your oncology board exam — then one question stops you cold. Your heart races, your mind goes blank, and suddenly ten minutes vanish while you stare at answer choices that all look right. This video gives you the exact 3-step strategy top-scoring oncology specialists use to reset, outsmart impossible questions, and salvage points when your expertise hits a wall. The oncology specialty exam isn't just testing your knowledge — it's testing whether you can think under pressure. Here's how to pass that test. ⚡ In this episode, you'll learn: That moment when an impossible question freezes your brain (and why it happens) The nervous system hijack: why "thinking harder" makes it worse Why conscious disengagement is a power move, not giving up The Strategic Retreat — the "Mark It and Move On" protocol The math: why 10 minutes on one question is a catastrophic time-management failure Why fresh eyes on a second pass unlock answers you missed the first time The Cover-Up technique: why hiding the answer choices is the smartest move you'll make Real clinical scenario walkthrough: dissecting a case question clue by clue Eliminate, interrogate, and the "two contenders" educated guess When all else fails: why guessing beats leaving it blank every time 📋 Free Resource: Audit your oncology knowledge with my free Oncology Specialist Exam Readiness Audit→ https://TheOncoPT.com/audit 🎓 FREE TRAINING FOR ONCOLOGY PTs From Confused to Confident: How to SCAN, Decode, and Answer Any Question on the Oncology Specialist Exam In under 60 minutes, I'll walk you through a repeatable framework for approaching clinical scenario questions on the specialist exam — using real published practice questions. → Register free: https://TheOncoPT.com/SCAN 📚 PRACTICE FOR THE ONCOLOGY SPECIALIST EXAM Want more reps with real exam-style questions? The Practice Exam Bundle gives you hundreds of oncology specialist exam-style questions with full rationales — structured to mirror the real exam's domain breakdown. → Get the Practice Exam Bundle: https://TheOncoPT.com/practiceexambundle Ready for the complete system? The Oncology Specialist Package includes the full Practice Exam Bundle — plus content mastery, case report writing support, and your MOSC pathway, all in one place. → Explore the Oncology Specialist Package: https://TheOncoPT.com/specialist About TheOncoPT: I help oncology physical therapists stop second-guessing and build the clarity and confidence they need to become strong oncology specialists. If you're preparing for board certification or leveling up your cancer rehab skills, hit subscribe. 🎓 FREE TRAINING: From Confused to Confident — a 4-step framework (SCAN) for decoding any question on your oncology specialist exam. Free at https://TheOncoPT.com/scan 📝 The Practice Exam Bundle is here year-round — no deadline on this one. 150 original case-based questions across 3 timed exams, with full rationales. $249 for all three. Follow TheOncoPT on Instagram. Follow TheOncoPT on LinkedIn.

July 21, 2026Episode 40120 min

The Real Challenge of Your Oncology Specialty Exam: It's Not What You Think

Send us Fan Mail You've spent months mastering oncology content — but on exam day, just knowing the material isn't enough. The ABPTS Oncology Specialty Exam is a six-hour endurance event, and without a pacing strategy, smart break habits, and a system for beating distractors, even the most prepared PTs lose easy points. This episode gives you the exact test-day tactics to turn your knowledge into a passing score. The content lives in your brain. Now let's make sure it survives the exam room. ⚡ In this episode, you'll learn: The Endurance Mindset — why exam day is a marathon, not a knowledge quiHow to break a 6-hour exam into four 90-minute "mini-battles" you can actually win The 100-Second Rule — your pacing strategy for every single question Why flagging and moving on is the difference-maker for banking easy points The "Cover Your Answers" technique — beat distractors before they beat you How to formulate your answer BEFORE you ever see the choices The Break Protocol — why skipping your breaks is self-sabotage, and what to actually do during them Fueling for six hours — what to eat the night before, morning of, and during Hydration strategy — sip, don't chug The full exam-day timeline, from arrival to final click 📋 Free Resource: Audit your oncology knowledge with my free Oncology Specialist Exam Readiness Audit → https://TheOncoPT.com/audit 🎓 FREE TRAINING FOR ONCOLOGY PTs From Confused to Confident: How to SCAN, Decode, and Answer Any Question on the Oncology Specialist Exam In under 60 minutes, I'll walk you through a repeatable framework for approaching clinical scenario questions on the specialist exam — using real published practice questions. → Register free: https://TheOncoPT.com/SCAN 📚 PRACTICE FOR THE ONCOLOGY SPECIALIST EXAM Want more reps with real exam-style questions? The Practice Exam Bundle gives you hundreds of oncology specialist exam-style questions with full rationales — structured to mirror the real exam's domain breakdown. → Get the Practice Exam Bundle: https://TheOncoPT.com/practiceexambundle READY FOR THE COMPLETE SYSTEM? The Oncology Specialist Package includes the full Practice Exam Bundle — plus content mastery, case report writing support, and your MOSC pathway, all in one place. → Explore the Oncology Specialist Package: https://TheOncoPT.com/specialist About TheOncoPT: I help oncology physical therapists stop second-guessing and build the clarity and confidence they need to become strong oncology specialists. If you're preparing for board certification or leveling up your cancer rehab skills, hit subscribe/follow. #ABPTS #OncologySpecialtyExam #TestDayStrategy #ExamTips #BoardCertification #OncologyPhysicalTherapy #CancerRehab #PhysicalTherapist #OncoPT 🎓 FREE TRAINING: From Confused to Confident — a 4-step framework (SCAN) for decoding any question on your oncology specialist exam. Free at https://TheOncoPT.com/scan 📝 The Practice Exam Bundle is here year-round — no deadline on this one. 150 original case-based questions across 3 timed exams, with full rationales. $249 for all three. Follow TheOncoPT on Instagram. Follow TheOncoPT on LinkedIn.