Meeting the Needs of Cancer Survivors - The Development and Outcomes of the Physiotherapy Cancer Rehabilitation Program

Course Information

Cancer survivors have many physical needs after cancer treatments and physiotherapists are uniquely qualified to address the broad spectrum of cancer-related impairments that limit function and mobility. The role of physiotherapy in cancer rehabilitation should be enhanced throughout Canada.

This presentation, recorded at the Canadian Physiotherapy Association (CPA) Congress 2021, outlines the physical needs of cancer patients and the development and outcomes of a comprehensive physiotherapy cancer rehabilitation service.

Speaker

Karen Dobbin graduated from the University of Manitoba in 1985 with a Bachelor of Medical Rehabilitation in Physiotherapy. Her career centered on neuromusculoskeletal physiotherapy, both in the public and private setting, over the following two decades. In 2010, her career focus shifted towards cancer rehabilitation after her personal experience with breast cancer. She enrolled in graduate school at the University of Manitoba and, in addition, diligently pursued extensive post-graduate training and certification in cancer rehabilitation, physical activity and cancer recovery, myofascial dysfunction, and lymphedema management. 

She is a certified lymphedema therapist, myofascial release therapist, cancer exercise practitioner, and an advanced cancer rehabilitation professional, providing rehabilitation for those with a cancer diagnosis. In 2013, Karen was the recipient of the TELUS-Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation National Fellowship for the support of her graduate research and program development at CancerCare Manitoba. She received her Master of Science degree in 2014, after completing her research thesis with an emphasis on cancer rehabilitation. Since 2015, Karen has received grant funding from the CancerCare Foundation of Manitoba for the provision of physiotherapy, which includes a yearly three-month physiotherapy cancer rehabilitation program conducted in partnership with the University of Manitoba and CancerCare Manitoba.

Within this program, she is a clinical instructor at the College of Rehabilitation Sciences for master-level physiotherapy students. Karen is currently working in private practice and at CancerCare Manitoba and passionately provides cancer rehabilitation and lymphedema management to improve the lives of those diagnosed with cancer.

Access to this recording will be FREE for anyone who has registered for CPA Congress 2021, Day 3.

Check your emails for the coupon code. If you have not received this contact pd@physiotherapy.ca