Congress Abstracts 2005

85

UTILIZING OPEN FORUM SESSIONS TO INCREASE AWARENESS AND SELF-CARE REGARDING THE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF LYMPHEDEMA. Michele Charles, MS, RN, and Deborah Arvidson-Hawkins, RN, BSN, OCN^®, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL.

During clinic visits with patients who have had recent breast cancer surgery involving the removal of one or more lymph nodes (predominantly axillary), information on lymphedema prevention and treatment is provided. With limited time and the amount of information provided, a need for a supplemental education arose. Monthly lymphedema education sessions were created to fulfill this need.

To improve understanding and facilitate methods of prevention and treatment of lymphedema in the post surgical breast cancer patient. The style of discussion and presentation of information by trained nurses in surgical and medical oncology as well as physical therapists empowers the patients to improve self-care, increase awareness of, and dispel common myths regarding lymphedema. The sessions have the secondary effect of creating a support network of patients with similar situations.

The group is conducted by multidisciplinary professionals from surgical and medical oncology nursing and physical therapy, as an open forum, to facilitate discussion and answer questions regarding prevention and treatment of lymphedema in post surgical patients, predominantly breast cancer patients. The discussions are held in a comfortable room with patients and facilitators seated in a circle. Written material and charts are utilized to educate patients on the anatomy of the lymphatic system, causes of lymphedema, and methods of prevention/treatment options. The sessions are held on a monthly basis with a duration of one hour.

The participants of the group are asked to provide feedback through comment cards and verbal discussion when the session is completed. Names and phone numbers are obtained in order to facilitate follow up and to provide a list of patients that desire to be part of a support network for future participants.

The sessions may encourage women to feel more comfortable asking questions and improving self-care related to their individual risk for developing lymphedema. Observing other participants in various ranges of onset of lyphmedema is an added benefit to overall awareness. Research is minimal in this area and groups such as this can provide much needed data for future nursing research.