Aboriginal Health Forum
Lymphoedema
Overview
A review by the Victorian Department of Human Services (DHS) in 2005 of lymphoedema services state-wide found significant delays in diagnosis and a lack of knowledge about the condition among health professionals. A consumer questionnaire completed and returned by 300 people revealed significant delays in diagnosis � 3.3 years for patients with any form of lymphoedema and 9.4 years for patients with the primary form of the condition. GPs were the third most common provider of a diagnosis (after medical specialists and lymphoedema practitioners) and were also the major source of referral for treatment of lymphoedema, however a large number of respondents to the survey nominated GPs (and medical specialists) as generally having poor knowledge about lymphoedema. In 2007, with funding from DHS, General Practice Victoria (GPV) worked in partnership with the Lymphoedema Association of Victoria (LAV) and the National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre (NBOCC) to develop educational materials to raise awareness of the diagnosis and management of lymphoedema in Victorian general practices.
Two educational resources have been developed for GPs and practice nurses:
- a case-study based learning module for use at education meetings
- a four-page A4 information card, Lymphoedema � Guide for diagnosis and management in general practice. The learning module has been accredited with the Royal Australian College of GPs quality assurance and continuing professional development program, and with the professional development program of the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine.
Key Objectives
The long-term aim of this educational initiative is to effect behaviour change in general practice, specifically:
- greater consideration of lymphoedema as a differential diagnosis in patients who present with chronic swelling improved knowledge of local referral options
- greater involvement in supporting the physical and psychosocial health of patients living with lymphoedema.
Copies of the laminated information card can be obtained from GPV and are available for download.
Copies of the learning module are available from GPV by contacting Hari Kakouris.
For further information contact:
- Hari Kakouris, General Practice Education Consultant Ph: 03 9341 5236 | Fax: 03 9341 5299 | Email: h.kakouris@gpv.org.au