Physical therapists (PTs) and physical therapist assistants (PTAs) have a unique and crucial role in the lives of persons living with end-stage cancer, as well as in the lives of their family members directly or indirectly involved in their care. Physical therapy for this patient population focuses on maintaining or improving functional mobility, as well as aids in decreasing cancer-related fatigue, decreasing pain levels, and educating patients and their family members on the disease process including ways to prepare for and minimize declines they will likely face throughout the disease trajectory. In 2020, the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) Palliative Care Needs Survey Results Summary respondents reported that approximately 89 609 patients received palliative care services, an increase from 85 153 reported in 2017. 1 The NHPCO also reported that in 2018, there were 1.55 million Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in hospice care and 29.6% of these people had cancer as their principal hospice diagnosis. 2 Unfortunately, for much of this patient population, physical therapy services are underutilized, of which a contributing factor may be a limited understanding of the roles and contributions of PTs in this setting. According to the article "Oncologists' and Physiatrists' Attitudes Regarding Rehabilitation for Patients With Advanced Cancer" by Spill et al, 3 of the 395 medical oncologists returning surveys, only 8% said they would refer a patient with advanced can-Rehabilitation Oncology
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