By Sue Davies and Judy Purbrick

Part of a presentation given at the 6th Australasian Lymphology Association Conference in Canberra in 2006.

Introduction

The Lymphoedema Practitioners Education Group of Victoria (LPEGV) is a multidisciplinary group of lymphoedema practitioners which was formed in 1993. The LPEGV has conducted training continuing education for health professionals in lymphoedema management skills since that time, using a unique collaborative multidisciplinary approach.

Background

Lymphology was identified as a new medical discipline by the international Society of Lymphology in Zurich in 1966. In 1980 Dr. Michael Foldi and Dr. Ethel Foldi established the Foldi clinic in Hinterzarten in Germany to treat lymphatic disorders and to train lymphoedema therapists. Dr. John Casley-Smith from South Australia, who was a colleague of Dr. Foldi, provided the first course of lymphoedema training that was accessed by Victorian therapists in 1990. Subsequently, training for lymphoedema practitioners began in Victoria in 1992.

Timeline of Training in Victoria

1990: Three Victorian physiotherapists, Kay Matthews, Anna Hesse and Sue Merritt attended the Casley-Smith lymphoedema training course in Adelaide run by Dr John and Judith Casley-Smith.

The Lymphoedema Association of Victoria (LAV) was formed, by people interested in lymphoedema and some lymphoedema therapists. The LAV aimed firstly, to collect and distribute information about lymphoedema and secondly, to support those with lymphoedema.

1991: Physiotherapist Maree O’Connor attended Casley- Smith lymphoedema training course.

1992: Four physiotherapists (Kay Matthews, Anna Hesse, Sue Merritt and Jill Bartholemeuz) conducted the first four day lymphoedema training course in Victoria. Only physiotherapists were eligible to attend.

1993: Maggie Rome, an occupational therapist who had visited the Foldi clinic and done Casley-Smith training, obtained a grant of $10,000 from Beirsdorf to set up an education group. Maggie began a small support group for therapists and conducted a three day lymphoedema training course. This was open to physiotherapists, occupational therapists and nurses.

In addition, Maggie, together with the LAV, was successful in getting the first English translation of Prof Michael and Dr Ethel Foldi’s lymphoedema book called, ‘Lymphoedema, Methods Of Treatment And Control, A Guide For Patients And Therapists,’ published in 1993. It was translated by Dr. Andrew Newell.

At this time the LAV found themselves to be composed of two groups with different needs, one being therapists with an interest in extending their skills and training others, and those more interested in the original goals of the group. Consequently, the Lymphoedema Practitioners Education Group of Victoria (LPEGV) was formed. A committee of nine therapists, chaired by Maggie Rome embarked on an ambitious agenda. They proposed another six day training course and ideas for the development of an education kit for health practitioners was suggested, together with plans for a traveling education group for rural areas and approaches to parliamentarians for garment funding.

1994: A six day lymphoedema training course was convened by Maggie Rome.
The first Victorian clinic for the treatment of lymphoedema was opened at the Mercy Hospital for Women in East Melbourne after successful lobbying by Maree O’Connor. A multidisciplinary approach to management was developed.

1995-2007: The LPEGV conducted biennial six day training courses in lymphoedema management. Regular continuing education lectures and updates were provided to members.

2000: Australasian Lymphology Association Conference held in Melbourne. The LPEGV was heavily involved and they worked with the LAV to organize the largest public seminar held so far.

2002: The Lymphoedema Handbook was published. Practitioners from different disciplines worked together with consumers to produce an accessible information source. Professor Neil Piller and Maree O’Connor were the editors.

2004: Private Level 1 lymphoedema course conducted with invited speakers.
ALA training guidelines for level one and two courses developed, so there were now minimum national standards for training.

2005: Private Level 2 lymphoedema course conducted with invited speakers.

2006: Second edition of The Lymphoedema Handbook was published and the multidisciplinary style continues.