Demonstrating Competence in Oncology Rehabilitation: Credentials, Clinical Preparation, and Professional Trust

Every rehabilitation professional will inevitably provide care for people living with and beyond cancer across acute care, outpatient settings, inpatient settings, and home care and within the community. Yet, many clinicians report feeling underprepared or unqualified to address the complex effects of cancer and its treatments. Continuing education, mentorship, and clinical experience remain important routes to professional development, but advanced credentials can offer a structured pathway for developing knowledge and skills and an external recognition of this preparation. This perspective discusses the potential value of specialization or board certification for rehabilitation professionals and other pathways for skill and knowledge attainment for rehabilitation professionals, including improving clinical reasoning, confidence, collaboration within the interprofessional team, as well as patient and provider trust. Credentials alone do not guarantee competence or outcomes, and they should complement rather than replace lifelong professional development and sound clinical judgment. Nevertheless, accessible pathways to advanced preparation may help clinicians address the needs of people affected by cancer and strengthen the role of cancer rehabilitation within cancer care.