Lymphoedema in Scotland: Achieving Equity and Quality

Aim: To determine education needs of GPs and other healthcare professionals (HCPs) in relation to chronic oedema / lymphoedema (CO/L) and address this need with minimal resources using a collaborative action research approach. Content: A two phase study is reported. In phase one an electronic national survey was conducted, followed by focus group discussions with a sample of respondents. Results were analysed using descriptive statistics and thematic content analysis. In phase two specialist clinical practitioners collaborated in action research using GP end-user feedback to design/build an online resource to meet the specific information and education needs. Relevance/Impact: CO/L are amongst the many chronic conditions that GPs manage in daily practice yet remain outside recognised targets and indicators. The recent Report Lymphoedema in Scotland: Achieving Equity and Quality, subject of a joint CMO/CNO/CPO letter, makes recommendations for management in primary care. The reported study identified that GPs encountered barriers to accessing specialist services and educational opportunities, and were frustrated by the inability to ensure continuity of appropriate care in the community. As early recognition and management reduces long term morbidity, addressing education needs across primary care could reduce the burden on patients and the healthcare service. Outcomes: Online resources were successfully developed by clinicians at minimal cost and have been well evaluated. Discussion: The collaborative action research process resulted in CPD learning on technical, clinical and business domains and could be modelled for any similar low profile, specialist condition resulting in access to just in time, specialist knowledge in primary care