Lymphedema Certificate Series

Edemas are present throughout all areas of rehabilitation practice. Often, as therapy practitioners, we are the first to identify new onset edemas and we are charged with determining if our client's edema is a medical emergency. Additional responsibility then lies with providing safe and effective treatment techniques utilizing evidence-based outcome measures for effective and reimbursable documentation.

This course will assist practitioners to determine the medical status of edemas, the various types of edemas that can be seen throughout practice settings, and effectivetreatment techniques for edema resolution or management. Participants will also take away several outcome measures that they can immediately start using with their clients to assist with determining progress and documenting client outcomes.

• Immediately improve your ability to determine if your client's edema is a medical emergency by learning the various types and presentations of edema
• Effective treatment options and outcomes measures you can use for successful edema management and documentation

Lymphedema is a chronic condition that is characterized by lymphatic fluid collection in the body causing increased swelling. If recognized early this disease can be treated and possibly reversed (diagnosis dependent). However, it is currently a highly overlooked condition that is not diagnosed until it has progressed significantly. This course is aimed to aid the therapist in clinically evaluating, screening, and implementing treatment of this patient population. Improvingknowledge and early recognition of this disease will help improve outcomes of these patients.

• Improve your understanding of lymphedema development, prevention, and pathophysiology
• Best practices and guidelines for recourses, exercise, compression, and garments
• Determine when and why to refer treatment to alymphedema specialist and how to advocate for your patient

Estimates report that there are 15.5 million cancer survivors in the U.S. This is projected to increase by 31% to 20.3 million by 2026 and to 26.1 million by 2040, an increase of almost 11 million from 2016. In breast cancer alone, one study found that 92% of women had at least one physicalimpairment, however, less than 30% received rehabilitation. By incorporating a comprehensive rehabilitation program, many survivors may experience a decrease in cancer co- morbidities resulting in a potential decrease in overall healthcare expenditures, and an improvement in quality of life. Practitioners are charged with increasing their presence on oncology teams, participating in pre and post rehabilitation, and gathering evidence through the use of outcome measures to support therapeutic intervention.

This interactive and comprehensive oncology course provides an understanding into the current oncology healthcare model and supports the need for proactive care toimprove patient outcomes and cost utilization. This course provides practitioners with an understanding of the medical and psychosocial needs of individuals with cancer including lymphedema. Participants will learn to help practitioners who do not treat lymphedema know what to look for and how to make appropriate referrals and conversely, provide educationon lymphedema for those considering working in the area of oncology and lymphedema. Information is provided on theoretical models in support of rehabilitation with oncology patients. Examples of research articles to support rehab with individuals with cancer, outcome measures, rehabilitation protocols, and evaluation/re-evaluation/treatment note formsare provided. Participants will leave this course with a better understanding of best practices for oncology care and provide insights for those considering working in oncology care, developing a program, and/or becoming lymphedema certified.

• Learn everyday, practical strategies to develop, guide, and support a comprehensive cancer care rehabilitation program
• Incorporate over ten outcome measures to confidently assess oncology patients and immediately begin using in your daily practice
• Therapeutic exercise and activity prescription for cancer rehab and lymphedema prevention
• Learn the best practice of rehabilitation in conjunction with the American Cancer Society and the American Society of Clinical Oncology's cancer survivorship recommendations and guidelines
• Case studies, hands-on labs and therapybased documentation