Louise Koelmeyer
BAppSc (OT)
ALA Accredited Practitioner
An Innovative Early-Intervention Model of Care
In this interactive theoretical and practical workshop, you will learn the key components of a prospective surveillance and early-intervention model of care in breast cancer rehabilitation. Evidence will be presented that challenges some of the myths in risk-minimisation education. You’ll learn about the importance of risk stratification and how bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) and compression therapy can be used to improve patient outcomes in an early- intervention cancer-rehabilitation program.
Objectives
- Recognize the practical application of a prospective surveillance and early-intervention model of care shown to reduce the risk of lymphedema and the severity of lymphedema during breast cancer rehabilitation.
- Identify how bioimpedance spectroscopy applies to a prospective surveillance model of care for lymphedema and cancer survivorship.
References
Ridner SH., et al (2018). A prospective study of L-Dex values in breast cancer patients pre-treatment and through 12 months postoperatively. Lymphat Res Biol. 16:435-441.
Kilgore LJ, et al (2018). Reducing breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) through prospective surveillance monitoring using bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) and patient directed self-interventions. Ann Surg Oncol. 25: 2948-2952.
Whitworth, PW., et al (2018). Preventing breast cancer-related lymphedema in high-risk patients: the impact of a structured surveillance protocol using bioimpedance spectroscopy. Front Oncol.;8:197.
Yang, EJ, et al (2016). Use of a prospective surveillance model to prevent breast cancer treatment-related lymphedema: a single-center experience. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 160:269-276.
Shah C., et al (2016). The impact of early detection and intervention of breast cancer-related lymphedema: a systematic review. Cancer Med. 2016;5:1154-1162.
Soran, A., et al (2014). The importance of detection of subclinical lymphedema for the prevention of breast cancer-related clinical lymphedema after axillary lymph node dissection; a prospective observational study. Lymphat Res Biol, 12(4): p. 289-94.
Soran A., et al (2014). The importance of detection of subclinical lymphedema for the prevention of breast cancer-related clinical lymphedema after axillary lymph node dissection; a prospective observational study. Lymphat Res Biol. 12:289-294.
Stout, NL., et al (2013). A systematic review of care delivery models and economic analyses in lymphedema: health policy impact (2004-2011). Lymphology. 46(1):27-41.
Sierla, R., et al (2013). Access to treatment for breast cancer-related lymphoedema in Australia. Aust Fam Physician 42(12): 892-895.
Stout N., et al (2012). Breast cancer-related lymphedema: comparing direct costs of a prospective surveillance model and a traditional model of care. Phys Ther, 92(1):152-163.
Stout, N., et al (2012). A prospective surveillance model for rehabilitation for women with breast cancer. Cancer, 118: 2191–2200.
Torres Lacomba, M., et al (2010). Effectiveness of early physiotherapy to prevent lymphoedema after surgery for breast cancer: randomised, single blinded, clinical trial. BMJ, 340: p. b5396.
Shih, Y.C. et al (2009). Incidence, Treatment Costs, and Complications of Lymphedema After Breast Cancer Among Women of Working Age: A 2-Year Follow-Up Study. J Clin Oncol.
Stout Gergich, N.L., et al (2008). Preoperative assessment enables the early diagnosis and successful treatment of lymphedema. Cancer, 112(12): 2809-19.
Velanovich V et al (1999). Quality of life of breast cancer patients with lymphedema. The American Journal of Surgery 177(3):184-188, ISSN 0002-9610.
About the Presenter
Louise Koelmeyer graduated with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of Sydney, Australia in 1990. She has over 28 years of clinical experience in both public and private hospital and clinic settings specializing in breast cancer rehabilitation and lymphoedema management in all areas of assessment, education, early detection, and treatment. Louise completed basic and advanced Casley-Smith lymphoedema training and works as an accredited Lymphoedema Practitioner and is listed on the Australasian Lymphology Association’s (ALA) National Lymphoedema Practitioner Register.
As Lymphoedema Program Manager & Senior Lecturer in the Australian Lymphoedema Education, Research and Treatment (ALERT) program at Macquarie University, Louise is involved in strategically managing and developing the education, research, and treatment arms of the innovative multidisciplinary program.
Louise is a member of the ALERT teaching faculty offering ALA-accredited lymphoedema training programs for health professionals. Louise develops and presents education workshops and advanced, skill-based modules on all aspects of assessment and management of lymphoedema, locally, nationally and internationally. Her particular area of interest is on the early-prospective surveillance model of care in early detection and management of lymphoedema and innovative advances in management.
Louise’s research interests are in achieving better outcomes in innovative early and advanced lymphoedema management through conservative and surgical treatment. Louise is one of the Australian Principal Investigators on the 5-year “PREVENT” Vanderbilt University Randomised Control Trial investigating the early detection and management of breast cancer-related lymphoedema. Macquarie University has contributed the highest number of study participants (450) to the total cohort of 1,200 women on this study.
Louise is enrolled at Macquarie University completing PhD studies exploring home monitoring for lymphoedema using bioimpedance spectroscopy.
Louise’s clinical interests and expertise are in developing a therapeutic relationship with individuals and personalising treatment programs that support the individual’s needs and goals to achieve positive outcomes. At the ALERT multidisciplinary clinic, Louise is involved in the pre- and post-operative rehabilitation of patients following liposuction surgery whereby around 40% of patients attending the clinic are living outside of New South Wales, Australia and in New Zealand.
