Augustine E, Corn M, Danoff J.
Lymphedema management training for physical therapy students in the United States.
Cancer 1998 Dec 15;83(12 Suppl American):2869-73

Physical Therapy Section, Rehabilitation Medicine Department, National Institutes
of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to determine to what extent
accredited physical therapy programs in the United States were presenting the
principles of lymphedema management and whether regional differences existed.
METHODS: States were grouped into four geographic regions: Northeast, South,
Midwest, and West. From mid-June to mid-July, 1997, 63 of 148 (42.6%) accredited
physical therapy (PT) programs in the United States completed and returned the
questionnaires. Participants received a cover letter, consent form, and
lymphedema survey by e-mail, facsimile, or regular post. The lymphedema survey
covered a wide variety of issues relating to five areas: 1) general and 2)
specific anatomy and physiology of the lymphatic system, 3) pathogenesis of
lymphedema, 4) traditional (compression pumps/garments), and 5) innovative
(European/Australian) treatment techniques for lymphedema. "Yes" responses
indicated that specific information was included in the curriculum. Frequency of
yes responses for each of the five areas were counted and converted into
percentages. Regional responses were compared with the total combined responses
with a modified binomial technique. RESULTS: PT programs in the United States
were providing 89% of our designated content in the general anatomy and
physiology of the lymphatic system, 73% in the pathogenesis of lymphedema, 65% in
traditional treatment techniques, 48% in innovative treatment techniques, and 42%
in the specific anatomy and physiology of the lymphatic system. No individual
region differed significantly (P > 0.05) from the combined results. CONCLUSIONS:
The participating PT programs appeared to be providing instruction in general
anatomy and physiology of the lymphatic system, pathogenesis of lymphedema, and
traditional treatment techniques. However, far less instruction on the specific
anatomy and physiology of the lymphatic system and innovative treatment
techniques is offered. We believe that PT students would benefit with more
curricular content in these latter two categories in order to acquire the
knowledge and skills to combat the devastating effects of lymphedema.