Physiatry Care and Cancer Rehabilitation in the RUSH Cancer Center with Obada Obaisi, MD

Whether cancer patients are newly diagnosed, currently receiving treatment or having completed treatment, the role of a physiatrist is to optimize their function and quality of life. While physiatry has grown in its incorporation in cancer care nationwide, RUSH is one of a small number of hospitals offering dedicated physical medicine and rehabilitation care for its cancer patients.

Obada Obaisi, MD, is an assistant professor in the RUSH Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and is the director of cancer rehabilitation at RUSH University Medical Center.

“My role [as a physiatrist] is to maintain or restore function, minimize symptom burden, maximize independence and ultimately improve quality of life for cancer survivors. Cancer rehabilitation involves a large, multidisciplinary team that includes myself, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech language pathologists, dieticians and psychologists. I often tell patients I'm their quarterback for their function, so I can help identify which of these services the patient may need and coordinate with them based on their impairments.”

CME Link: https://cmetracker.net/RUSH/Publisher?page=pubOpenSub#/event/488832/