title: Assessing community nurses' level of knowledge of lymphoedema.
abstract: As part of a major project to develop a primary care trust-based framework of lymphoedema management, the educational needs of community nurses regarding the care of patients with lymphoedema were assessed using focus groups and questionnaires. Community nurses assessed their current knowledge and skill in the care and management of patients with lymphoedema as adequate or poor. They were concerned about their lack of knowledge and skill and were uncertain regarding their role relative to other professions involved in the care of this patient group. At the same time they understood the importance of their role in providing ongoing care, recognizing problems, offering sound advice and referring on to a specialist practitioner when necessary. Any education provision that prepares community nurses for their role within a framework of lymphoedema management should emphasize the important place they occupy in providing long-term care for this patient group.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Research and Implementation of Clinical Practice (CRICP), Faculty of Health and Human Sciences, Thames Valley University, London.
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Morgan
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moody
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Franks
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Moffatt
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Doherty
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003152:Community Health Nursing / Q000193:education* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing / Q000458:organization & administration; D017144:Focus Groups; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008209:Lymphedema / Q000451:nursing*; D020380:Needs Assessment; D013041:Specialties, Nursing; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom