Faculty Survey on the Status of Lymphology Education in Professional Doctor of Physical Therapy Programs

Abstract

Background and Purpose: The lymphatic system is vital for fluid homeostasis, waste removal, immunity, and tissue healing. It can be impacted by multiple diseases and traumatic processes seen by physical therapists across practice settings; hence, lymphology education in professional (entry-level) doctor of physical therapy (DPT) programs is needed. Studies to obtain information about professional DPT lymphology education have not been conducted for 20 years. The purposes of this study were to (1) describe current, typical lymphology content within professional DPT programs; and (2) identify whether lymphology content is perceived as entry-level material amongst professional DPT faculty who were responsible for teaching lymphology content (TL) and professional DPT faculty who did not teach lymphology content (NTL). Subjects: Professional DPT faculty (N = 43) in the United States who taught or did not teach lymphology curriculum. Methods: Crosssectional online survey research design. Descriptive data were gathered on lymphology content, hours, and curriculum standings. The χ 2 test assessed relationships between faculty status and entry-level lymphology curriculum status. The Spearman rank correlation coefficient assessed relationships between teaching hours and entry-level status. Results: Variability exists across curricula in range of hours devoted to didactic (0.4-14.1 hours) and laboratory (0-10 hours) instruction pertaining to lymphology. Individual curriculum contents were predominantly considered entry-level material. Limitations: Response rate was limited. Conclusion:Consistent lymphology curriculum content and format are lacking within the professional DPT programs that participated in the survey, indicating opportunities for advancements in entry-level lymphology education and investigation into best educational practices for teaching this content.

Healthcare Practitioners’ Knowledge of Lymphedema

“…Different suggestions were made in included articles, and some had considered undergraduate training of lymphedema, and yet, no study had investigated the knowledge of undergraduate students' knowledge of lymphedema as the main target population. Literature supports the neglect in the education of lymphology and lymphatic system, and lymphedema could be a reasonable part of expanded lymphology education in the future [61,62].…”

Entry-Level to Advanced Practitioner Preparation in Oncology Rehabilitation: A Review

“…Only 2 articles were selected as they met the inclusion criteria pertaining to entry-level to advanced practitioner preparation in physical therapist education in the domain of Onc R. 6,7 It is noted that one article addressed advanced practice preparation and the focus of the second was on lymphology training/education not Onc R in general 6 ; thus, evidence in this domain is scant. 7 Relative to entry-level lymphology education, Doubblestein et al 7 reported 95% of doctor of physical therapy (DPT) programs surveyed teach content related to lymphatic pathophysiology, 90% teach content related to assessment, and 95% teach content related to interventions. In addition, of the programs surveyed, 88% agreed that the aforementioned content areas were appropriate for entry-level education.…”

“…In addition, of the programs surveyed, 88% agreed that the aforementioned content areas were appropriate for entry-level education. 7 Lymphology education is indeed pertinent; however, it addresses only one area of concern that rehabilitation professionals need to be prepared to manage in a patient with cancer. Ten Tusscher et al 6 surveyed physical therapists in primary care settings and noted broad educational needs to address confidence and competence in managing individuals with an active or previous history of cancer.…”

“…A search of the CINAHL, EMBASE, PEDro, and PubMed databases was conducted in April 2021 by the authors with the following search terms: entry level doctor of physical therapy OR professional education OR professional certification OR lymphedema training OR lymphedema certification AND oncology or cancer; the search revealed 12 publications on the topics of entry-level to advanced practitioner oncology rehabilitation (Onc R) preparation. Only 2 articles were selected as they met the inclusion criteria pertaining to entry-level to advanced practitioner preparation in physical therapist education in the domain of Onc R. 6,7 It is noted that one article addressed advanced practice preparation and the focus of the second was on lymphology training/education not Onc R in general 6 ; thus, evidence in this domain is scant. 7 Relative to entry-level lymphology education, Doubblestein et al 7 reported 95% of doctor of physical therapy (DPT) programs surveyed teach content related to lymphatic pathophysiology, 90% teach content related to assessment, and 95% teach content related to interventions.…”

“…Only 2 articles were selected as they met the inclusion criteria pertaining to entry-level to advanced practitioner preparation in physical therapist education in the domain of Onc R 6,7. It is noted that one article addressed advanced practice preparation and the focus of the second was on lymphology training/education not Onc R in general6; thus, evidence in this domain is scant 7…”