Journal Review in Thoracic Surgery: The Prehab Prescription- Evidence, Implementation, and Advocacy
Update: 2025-08-21
Description
What if we could train patients for surgery the way elite athletes train for game day?
In this episode, we review the science, shed light on the disparities, explore real-world challenges, and honor the behind-the-scenes workers that facilitate prehabilitation in thoracic cancer care. Join attending surgeon Doctor Jinny Ha, 3rd year general surgery resident Doctor Kyla Rakoczy, and Community Outreach Patient Navigator, Leslie Ricks Chandler, in discussing prehabilitation in thoracic surgery.
Hosts:
Dr. Jinny Ha, MD, MHS, assistant professor of surgery and thoracic surgeon at Johns Hopkins
Leslie Ricks Chandler, Community Outreach Program Advisor Johns Hopkins Thoracic Surgery
Dr. Kyla Rakoczy, MD, 3rd year general surgery resident at Johns Hopkins LinkedIn: Kyla Rakoczy
Learning objectives:
After listening to this episode, participants will be able to:
In this episode, we review the science, shed light on the disparities, explore real-world challenges, and honor the behind-the-scenes workers that facilitate prehabilitation in thoracic cancer care. Join attending surgeon Doctor Jinny Ha, 3rd year general surgery resident Doctor Kyla Rakoczy, and Community Outreach Patient Navigator, Leslie Ricks Chandler, in discussing prehabilitation in thoracic surgery.
Hosts:
Dr. Jinny Ha, MD, MHS, assistant professor of surgery and thoracic surgeon at Johns Hopkins
Leslie Ricks Chandler, Community Outreach Program Advisor Johns Hopkins Thoracic Surgery
Dr. Kyla Rakoczy, MD, 3rd year general surgery resident at Johns Hopkins LinkedIn: Kyla Rakoczy
Learning objectives:
After listening to this episode, participants will be able to:
Define the role and components of prehabilitation in the context of thoracic oncology and ERAS/ESTS guidelines.
Interpret key findings from recent clinical trials on prehabilitation, including outcomes related to functional capacity and readmission rates.
Identify socioeconomic and structural barriers to prehabilitation participation and discuss strategies to improve equitable access to these interventions.
Apply evidence-based criteria to assess which patients may benefit most from preoperative nutrition and exercise interventions.
Recognize the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration—including social work and patient navigation—in optimizing surgical readiness and long-term outcomes.
References:
- Effect of Exercise and Nutrition Prehabilitation on Functional Capacity in Esophagogastric Cancer Surgery: A Randomized Clinical Trial - PubMed
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12070588/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39775660/
- https://ccts.amegroups.org/article/view/68030/html
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36435646/
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1043067918301643?via%3Dihub
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30304509/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28385477/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27226400/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38546649/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38614212/
- https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/surgery/specialty-areas/thoracic-surgery/patient-education
Please visit https://behindtheknife.org to access other high-yield surgical education podcasts, videos and more.
If you liked this episode, check out our recent episodes here: https://app.behindtheknife.org/listen
If you liked this episode, check out our recent episodes here: https://app.behindtheknife.org/listen
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