Lymphoedema Primary Care Capacity Building

Access to limited specialist lymphoedema services across the state has highlighted the need to increase primary care capacity and knowledge of risk reduction, early identification and intervention and ongoing management of secondary lymphoedema. Strong emphasis is made on the importance of educating patients on self-management strategies including daily garment wear and weight management.

The Victorian and Tasmanian PHN Alliance , HealthPathways have developed clinical and referral pathways that GPs can access at the point of care. This work includes a GP toolkit comprising a webinar, clinical resources and a patient resource on the Management of Secondary Lymphoedema.

 “The Lymphoedema resources have been developed in consultation with subject matter experts across the state.  We hope that through education, and the use of HealthPathways, we can improve the rates of early diagnosis and increase GPs’ capacity to manage lymphoedema in the community. This will ease the burden on the specialist lymphoedema services across the state and provide better patient care.”
– Dr Precious McGuire, HealthPathways Melbourne Clinical Editor

General practitioners access clinical and referral pathways and education resources through the HealthPathways sites:

Clinical and referral pathways

• Lymphoedema Clinical Pathway
• Lymphoedema Referral Pathway

Education resources

Lymphoedema GP Toolkit:

• Lymphoedema – Guide for Diagnosis and Management in General Practice
• Management of Secondary Lymphoedema in General Practice (full video, 39 minutes)
  • Part 1: Introduction and Definition of Lymphoedema
  • Part 2: Case 1 – Jenny with Breast Cancer-related Lymphoedema
  • Part 3: Case 2 – Alan with Lymphoedema and Cellulitis
  • Part 4: Summary and Resources
  • Presentation slides
  • Presentation slides transcription

• Secondary Lymphoedema – Patient Resource
• The Management of Secondary Lymphoedema: A Guide for Health Professionals

PHN mechanisms

• Provider engagement and training
• Clinical support
• Lymphoedema localised care pathways

Program contact

Richard Penberthy, Project Lead
Ph. (03) 9046 0350