Contemporary evidence in lymphoedema management (for advanced practitioners)

Update your knowledge base and practical skills with the latest research findings on assessment and treatment of lymphoedema.

This hybrid unit has been designed to be interactive and multimodal enhancing the student’s experience. It includes embedded readings, knowledge checks, skills videos and forum activities.

This unit is accredited by the Australasian Lymphology Association (ALA) in accordance with the ALA Competency Standards. Please see the ALA website for more information

Total workload for this online unit is up to 75 hours and must be completed in the university’s session timeframe.

2024 program

  • Session 1 – 19 February to 21 June

  • Session 2 – 22 July to 22 November

Details

See below for more information.

  1. Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) level 7 bachelor's qualification in a health degree or recognised equivalent and/or accredited Australasian Lymphology Association Practitioner.
  2. Current registration with Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) or international equivalent, and/or current/eligible registration on the ALA's National Lymphoedema Practitioners Register (NLPR).
  3. These units are taught in English, so all students must be proficient in English. For more information, students can visit Macquarie University’s guidelines on English Language Requirements.

At the successful completion of this online training program you will be able to:

  1. explain the revised anatomy and physiology of the lymphatic system and teachings from ICG lymphography
  2. define the prospective surveillance and early intervention model of care in cancer rehabilitation and how this can be integrated into healthcare settings
  3. apply knowledge and skills to plan a comprehensive assessment and treatment plan for a person at risk of or living with lymphoedema and chronic oedemas using latest evidence
  4. discuss individual and societal impact of lymphoedema and chronic oedema models of care and how latest imaging assessments can change clinical practice.

Robbie Blackwell

BAppSc(OT) USyd

Robbie is an occupational therapist and lymphoedema practitioner and is a team leader in the ALERT Lymphoedema Treatment Clinic, where she has worked since 2017. Along with providing conservative management recommendations to patient with lymphoedema, lipedema and other chronic oedemas, Robbie performs ICG lymphography imaging and has coordinated the ALERT ICG Diagnostic Assessment Clinic since 2020.

Robbie continues to contribute to the expanding body of research describing common patterns of morphological change observed in the lymphatic system, when lymphatic impairment is identified.

Robbie forms part of the ALERT Education teaching staff and is also the lead trainer delivering the Contemporary Evidence in Lymphoedema Management unit via zoom.

In 2020 Robbie was appointed an Honorary Conjoint Associate Lecturer at Macquarie University. Robbie is a member of the Australasian Lymphology Association, Occupational Therapy Australia and the NSW Lymphoedema Practitioners Group.

A/Prof Louise Koelmeyer

BAppSc(OT) Usyd, PhD Macq

Louise is an occupational therapist with over 30 years of clinical experience in both public and private settings specialising in breast cancer rehabilitation and lymphoedema management. As Director of the Australian Lymphoedema Education, Research and Treatment (ALERT) program Louise is involved in strategically managing and developing the education, research and treatment arms of the innovative multidisciplinary program. Louise has lead the ALERT Education Program’s redesign and development of their educational offerings to conform the ALA’s Competency Standards and Macquarie University’s microcredentialling and curriculum architecture frameworks.

Louise was awarded her doctorate at Macquarie University in April 2021 in “Enhancing the prospective surveillance and early intervention model of care for women at high risk of developing breast cancer-related lymphoedema.”

Louise has been leading and teaching in the ALERT Education Program since its inception including offering ALA accredited programs under the ALERT banner. She develops and presents education workshops and advanced skill-based units on all aspects of assessment and management of lymphoedema locally, nationally and internationally.

Louise is a current member of the Australasian Lymphology Association (ALA), Australian Society of Breast Diseases (ASBD), the Clinical Oncology Society of Australia (COSA) and the NSW Lymphoedema Practitioners Group.

The unit fee is $1,100 plus GST. Fees must be paid in Australian dollars by credit card or by invoice on request to alerteducation@mq.edu.au.

  1. Click on the 'register here' link to make the payment.
  2. Once we have received the payment students will receive a registration survey email. Students are required to upload their current AHPRA Certificate as part of this process.
  3. Once we have received the completed registration survey, students will receive their official registration letter and their ProLearn login instructions to commence their online learning.

Cancellations will not be considered if a student has already commenced their online learning and assessment. If a student wishes to transfer to another session, they will incur a transfer fee of $100 plus GST.

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