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Why so few lymphedema therapists?

Page last modified on: August 25, 2008

Question from Maire: Why are there so few lymphedema therapists? Is there a standard of care that should inform patients about getting evaluated early on?: Answers —Kathryn Schmitz, Ph.D., M.P.H., F.A.C.S.M.: There is actually something this audience should know about. There's a difficulty in this field, like nutritionists and exercise trainers, in that there is no current regulation of who calls themselves a lymphedema therapist and who does not. In response to this, the National Lymphedema Network, www.lymphnet.org, has published a physicians’ paper that is easily downloaded on the adequate training of lymphedema therapists. Further, the schools that fulfill those requirements publish their lists of students who have completed and are certified. Unfortunately, that's the best we've got in the United States. I can tell you, they're way beyond us in Australia.; Nicole Gergich, M.P.T., C.L.T.-L.A.N.A. : And many of the European countries as well.; Jennifer Sabol, M.D., F.A.C.S.: I think part of that is there are issues with reimbursement. It's a shame we're not particularly good at reimbursing for lymphedema care in this country. It becomes hard to find therapists who feel passionately about this and want to be well trained.

On Wednesday, April 16, 2008, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Preventing and Treating Arm Lymphedema. Kathryn Schmitz, Ph.D., M.P.H., F.A.C.S.M.,Nicole Stout Gergich, M.P.T. C.L.T.-L.A.N.A., and moderator Jennifer Sabol, M.D., F.A.S.C. answered your questions about ways to prevent and manage lymphedema.

The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.

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Meet the Experts

Kathryn Schmitz, Ph.D., M.P.H., F.A.C.S.M. is assistant professor in the Division of Clinical Epidemiology at the University of Pennsylvania and adjunct associate professor in the Division of Epidemiology at the University of Minnesota.

Nicole Stout Gergich, M.P.T., C.L.T.-L.A.N.A.

Nicole Stout Gergich M.P.T., C.L.T.-L.A.N.A. is a physical therapist and lymphedema specialist at the Breast Care Center at the National Naval Medical Center. She is also the president of the Oncology Section of the American Physical Therapy Association, and has previously served on the Medical Advisory Board and research committee for the National Lymphedema Network.

Jennifer Sabol, M.D., F.A.C.S. is a breast surgeon who directs the newly developed Breast Care Center at Lankenau Hospital in Wynnewood, Pa. Among her many interests, Dr. Sabol spearheads several research initiatives to advance the care for women with breast cancer and improve methods of breast cancer detection and treatment.