Key topics

• Pathophysiology of chronic oedemas including the associated risk factors
• Specialist skills needed in the assessment and measurement and management of lymphoedema
• Health promotion; coping with and adjusting to a chronic condition including advice regarding movement and exercise
• The role of MLD and SLD in lymphoedema management
• The role of the Lymphoedema Support Network
• The global picture of lymphoedema and service development
   

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the module at Level 6 you should be able to demonstrate achievement of the following learning outcomes:

• Define lymphoedema and explain the risk factors associated with it and outline the diagnostic process.
• Outline the contemporary evidence-based holistic assessment tools and consider your own clinical judgement in assessing PABL. 
• Critically consider the management of Lymphoedema and its impact on the PABL and evaluate treatment effectiveness using the MDT approach.
• Demonstrate ability to consider the choice of management approach and apply appropriate treatment strategies to PABL.
• Critically consider the patient experience of lymphoedema using evidence-based and current national and international guidance.
   

On successful completion of the module at Level 7 you should be able to demonstrate achievement of the following learning outcomes:

• Critically examine the risk factors associated with lymphoedema and the potential complexities of diagnosing it.
• Critically explore contemporary evidence-based holistic assessment tools and critically consider your own clinical judgement in assessing PABL. 
• Critically examine the management of Lymphoedema and its impact on the PABL and critically evaluate treatment effectiveness using the MDT approach.
• Demonstrate ability to critically consider the choice of management approach and apply appropriate treatment strategies to PABL. 
• Critically consider potential research and service development using evidence-based and current national and international guidance.
   

Assessment

The learner will participate in an Online VIVA (An academic interview) in which they outline the assessment and management of a person with lymphoedema. This will last for 40 minutes, (including time for questions), and will be recorded to enable moderation and review by the external examiners.

Dates

On-line Iive interactive sessions on: 10, 17 June and 1 July 2025
Face to face at The Royal Marsden School, Chelsea on either 24 or 30 June 2025
On-line Oral Assessment on either 8 or 9 September 2025

Katie’s Lymphoedema Fund bursary

The Royal Marsden School in association with Katie’s Lymphoedema Fund will be providing five places on this course. Bursaries will cover course fees. Travel and accommodation costs will not be covered.

To be eligible for sponsorship, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Nurses and Allied Health Professionals only 
• Working in cancer care
• No funding available from other sources
• Use their skills to offer services that patients do not pay for

Anyone meeting the criteria who wishes to apply for a sponsored place should expand their personal statement to their on-line School Application. The personal statement should already state the applicant's reasons for choosing the module they have applied for and relevant work experience to support their application. The last date for receipt of bursary applications is 7 May 2024.

This should be expanded under an additional heading "Application for Sponsorship for Lymphoedema: Principles and Practice", to outline, in approximately 200 words why they should receive sponsorship.

To give your application for sponsorship the best possible chance, your statement should address the following questions:

• What benefits will this opportunity provide in terms of patient care?
• How will the training support the development needs of the service?
• How will the training support the development needs of the practitioner?

The following panel will consider applicants for the awards:

Rachel Day, Highly Specialist Lymphoedema Practitioner, Lymphoedema Services, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust

Laura Theodossy, Module Leader, The Royal Marsden School, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust

Sponsored students will also be required to provide a report to the School and Katie’s Lymphoedema Fund on the impact that their studies have had on patient care.
 

Student support

Tutorials with the module leader or personal tutor are available if students require additional help with the planning and writing of their assignments. Email and telephone support are also available from the module leader/personal tutor.

The Royal Marsden School uses an online environment called Moodle which students must access during their studies to support and enhance our courses. The site provides resources and communication tools. All students will be provided with a username and password to access module specific sections as well as general learning support such as study skills and library resources. Students also have access to the David Adams Library and Electronic Resource Centre. 

To get the best from the live video-conferencing sessions and enable you to participate fully you should have access to a computer or laptop with a camera and microphone. If you have any concerns or need help, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Related pathways

This stand-alone module also forms part of these pathways:

• BSc (Hons) in Cancer Care
• MSc Advanced Clinical Practice in Cancer Care
• MSc in  Cancer Care