Lymphoedema – The Essentials for Breast Care Nurses

Breast Care Nurses provide holistic care to their clients. They need to have knowledge across a wide range of issues. This two day course has been designed for Breast Care Nurses (BCN) as an introduction to:

  • surveillance
  • risk reduction
  • early lymphoedema management following breast cancer treatment

It provides the BCN with essential information and practical tools to assist their clients. It also enables them to be aware of current lymphoedema management strategies. This course is not designed for the BCN to have the skills to manage lymphoedema but may be a stepping-stone for further lymphoedema education such as the accredited LES Level 1 Upper Limb Lymphoedema Course.

Click on the headings below for more information

This course is open to registered health professionals only (Division 1 Nurses, Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists).

The two day course provides the BCN with the opportunity to develop their knowledge, skills and clinical reasoning in breast cancer related lymphoedema. This course will utilise and expand upon their current knowledge and skills to facilitate their learning experience. It is hoped on completion that the BCN will feel confident to provide their clients with up to date information and a strategy depending on the presentation.

Upon completion of the course, the BCN will be able to:

  • Describe the anatomy of the lymphatic system.
  • Discuss the physiology and pathophysiology of the lymphatic system.
  • List the factors leading to oedema/lymphedema formation.
  • Explore the factors to consider when assessing a client with lymphoedema.
  • Explore the subjective assessment of a client at risk or with early lymphoedema.
  • Explore the objective assessment of a client at risk or with early lymphoedema including:
    • measuring the circumferences of the upper limbs with a tape measure;
    • the role of bioimpedance;
    • the role of the Lymphscanner
  • Compare physiotherapy rehabilitation options following breast cancer management including the importance of exercise and the management of treatment side effects.
  • Discuss the current lymphoedema education following both sentinel node and axillary lymph node dissection.
  • Explore treatment modalities for lymphoedema including exercise, manual lymphatic drainage, compression bandaging and garments, intermittent pneumatic compression and laser.
  • Develop clinical reasoning skills for a client who is at risk of lymphoedema or has early stage lymphoedema.
  • Develop skills in manual lymphatic drainage and compression for breast oedema.

The course has a distance learning component and a face to face component. The course is underpinned by evidence based learning and the content reflects the current best practice in lymphoedema management.

Distance learning component

The distance learning component is included in an e-learning manual and via two e-learning modules provided by Klose Training www.klosetraining.com:

  • Anatomy and physiology of the lymphatic system.

via Lymphoedema Educations Solutions (LES) online Learning Management System and via an e-learning modules provided by Klose Training www.klosetraining.com . It is estimated that the online training can take up to 14 hours. The Klose anatomy and physiology module will also include formative online quizzes which you must achieve 80% and you have three chances at achieving this.

Participants are encouraged to commence this component as soon as they receive their course information. They will receive it via email approximately 4 weeks prior to the face to face study days. All quizzes for the Klose training module should be successfully completed prior to the study days.

Face to face component

The face to face component is made up of 2 study days (16 hours). Dissemination of information and skills is via interactive lectures, activities, practical workshops and group discussion.  It is an excellent opportunity for you to share your knowledge, skills, ideas and have a forum to troubleshoot a variety of aspects of breast cancer rehabilitation, lymphoedema surveillance and management. The information for the face to face component will be given out on the face to face study days.

Completion of the course

On completion of the study days and successful completion of the Klose training module the participant will be provided with a certificate for 30 hours continuing professional development.

Maree O’Connor – Principle Presenter & Course Instructor

Maree O’Connor is a physiotherapist and has over 30 years experience in the area of lymphoedema management and also physiotherapy following breast cancer. She has been delivering lymphoedema courses, workshops, seminars and speaking at both national and international conferences since 1994 and has a graduate certificate in health professional education. Maree enjoys teaching and is passionate about making it an authentic learning experience. She is the co-author of the Lymphoedema Handbook.

Maree has worked in both the private and public sectors and established the first comprehensive lymphoedema clinic at the Mercy Hospital for Women in 1994. Whilst she was there she assisted in establishing the Lymphoedema Compression Garment Fund. Her involvement in lymphoedema has not only been from a clinical perspective. She was part of the steering committee that established the Australasian Lymphology Association (ALA) and was their first president. At a state level Maree has a close association with the Lymphoedema Practitioners Education Group of Victoria and served on their committee for many years as well as serving as president. She has also been on numerous committees and working parties in relationship to lymphoedema both at a state and federal level.

She is past chairperson of the ALA Education Training Guidelines Subcommittee and of the ALA National lymphoedema Practitioners Register Committee of Management. Maree is also was on the executive committee for the Australian Lymphoedema Framework. She has also co-chaired. for a number of years, the education committee for the International Lymphoedema Framework.

Michelle Pardy – Invited Presenter

Michelle Pardy has over 25 years experience. She has worked in the areas of Neurology, Women’s Health and more recently Muskuloskeletal Physiotherapy and Complex Pain disorders. She is also a qualified yoga instructor and uses her yoga and physiotherapy experience to deliver an exercise class which will focus on the individual needs of each client and introduce them to a safe and effective practice.

The Registration fee includes:

  • Distance learning information.
  • Klose online modules valued at $175 US.
  • Participation in an exercise class.
  • Hands on practice of various assessment tools for lymphoedema and treatment techniques.
  • View state of the art equipment for the assessment and management of lymphoedema.
  • Course material for the face to face component.
  • Resources.
  • All morning / afternoon teas and lunches.

The following agreement is made between the participant registering for the course (as indicated on this registration form) and Lymphoedema Education Solutions (LES).

Course Payment and Refund Policy 

On receipt of full payment, each participant will receive a confirmation email and a receipt for payment. A tax invoice will be provided on complete payment of the full course amount.

Upon registration, the Participant will receive an email with details confirming when payment of the deposit and balance is due. The total amount is due prior to commencing the course. A place will not be held in the course without the Participant being sent confirmation of receipt of a deposit. $90.00 (GST inclusive) of the deposit is non-refundable. Full payment must be received for the Participant to access the course.  The full cost of the course will become non-refundable from the commencement date of the online learning. The date when online learning commences is included in the course information. 

If the Participant is travelling from interstate and are unable to attend due to border closures, they can request to either transfer their deposit or full payment to another LES training program by email info@lymphoedemaeducation.com.au.

Cancellations

Notification of cancellations must be sent by post or email info@lymphoedemaeducation.com.au. All cancellations incur an administration fee of $50 (GST inclusive).

Places are limited and minimum and maximum course numbers apply. All workshop practical sessions are completed in pairs and therefore even numbers are required.

Scope of Practice

The applicant acknowledges and understands that the course is designed for practitioners with suitable existing health professional qualifications.  The course description identifies which types of health professional qualifications are required.  The applicant undertakes to the course provider that it is suitably qualified in accordance with the course prerequisites and holds a current registration.

Course Materials

All materials provided in courses and workshops are protected by Copyright and intellectual property laws.

Reproduction and re-transmission of the materials, in whole or part, in any manner, without prior consent of the copyright holder, is a violation of copyright law. Individuals must preserve any copyright or other notices contained in or associated with the materials. Users may not distribute copies to others, whether or not in electronic form, whether or not for charge or consideration, without prior written consent of the copyright holder of the materials.

Privacy Policy

We respect your personal information and your privacy is important to us. We will use our best efforts to protect your personal information from unauthorised access.  We may use your personal information to contact you from time to time about products and services we think you may be interested in.  Part of the course involves communicating via email with other course participants and for this reason you agree that your email address may be shared with other course participants.  We may give your details to course sponsors and exhibitors unless you ask us not to.  Please ask us if you have any queries about providing your personal information.


Upcoming dates

Location: The Tudor Box Hill Melbourne
Distance learning: starts 25 October 2023
Face-to-face dates: Wednesday 22 November and Thursday 23 November 2023
Registration: Wednesday 22 November between 8.00 – 8.30 am
Course times: 8.30 – 5.00 pm approximately
Cost: $660 inc GST

Registration

As part of the course, you will do a practical component on bioimpedance. Please provide the following details for this.

The following agreement is made between the participant registering for the course (as indicated on this registration form) and Lymphoedema Education Solutions (LES).

Payment and Refund Policy

On receipt of full payment each participant will receive a confirmation email and a receipt for payment. A tax invoice will be provided on complete payment of the full course amount.

Upon registration, the Participant will receive an email with details confirming when payment of the deposit and balance is due. The total amount is due prior to commencing the course. A place will not be held in the course without the Participant being sent confirmation of receipt of a deposit. $90.00 (GST inclusive) of the deposit is non-refundable. Full payment must be received for the Participant to access the course.  The full cost of the course will become non-refundable from the commencement date of the online learning. The date when online learning commences is included in the course information.

If the Participant is travelling from interstate and are unable to attend due to border closures, they can request to either transfer their deposit or full payment to another LES training program by email info@lymphoedemaeducation.com.au.

Course cancellation

Notification of cancellations must be sent by post or email info@lymphoedemaeducation.com.au. All cancellations incur an administration fee of $90 (GST inclusive).

Places are limited and minimum and maximum course numbers apply. All workshop practical sessions are completed in pairs and therefore even numbers are required.

In the unlikely event of a course being cancelled, prior to commencement of the online learning, all course fees, including the deposit, will be refunded.

Scope of Practice

The applicant acknowledges and understands that the course is designed for practitioners with suitable existing health professional qualifications. The course description identifies which types of health professional qualifications are required. The applicant undertakes to the course provider that it is suitably qualified in accordance with the course prerequisites and holds a current registration.

Course Materials

All materials provided in courses and workshops are protected by Copyright and intellectual property laws.

Reproduction and re-transmission of the materials, in whole or part, in any manner, without prior consent of the copyright holder, is a violation of copyright law. Individuals must preserve any copyright or other notices contained in or associated with the materials. Users may not distribute copies to others, whether or not in electronic form, whether or not for charge or consideration, without prior written consent of the copyright holder of the materials.

Privacy Policy

We respect your personal information and your privacy is important to us. We will use our best efforts to protect your personal information from unauthorised access. We may use your personal information to contact you from time to time about products and services we think you may be interested in. Part of the course involves communicating via email with other course participants and for this reason you agree that your email address may be shared with other course participants. We may give your details to course sponsors and exhibitors unless you ask us not to. Please ask us if you have any queries about providing your personal information.
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