The world's first mobile lymphoedema unit: Wales leads the way

Using mixed methods we explored whether a mobile setting is a viable way of assessing, treating and educating people with lymphoedema and investigated the attitudes that patients and staff had about the Mobile Unit. A total of 14 lymphoedema clinics were held on the Mobile Unit with 64 patients treated over a three month period; most patients had either breast, colorectal or neck cancer. Out of 57 respondents 37 patients (65%) stated that they had previously received treatment for their lymphoedema in a hospital setting. When asked how their treatment on the Tenovus Mobile Unit compared with their previous appointment, no patients stated that it was worse than their previous appointment with the majority (n=22, 59%) saying that their treatment on the Mobile Unit was better than their previous treatment. The most cited reasons for why the Mobile Unit appointment was better than a previous appointment related to the convenience of receiving treatment closer-to-home, which reduces travelling time and cost. The average distance travelled per journey, per patient to the Mobile Unit was 10.8 miles compared to 21.4 miles for a previous appointment. On average, our sample of lymphoedema patients spent 31 minutes travelling to the Mobile Unit compared to an average of 55 minutes to a usual appointment. All patients held extremely positive attitudes towards the Mobile Unit rating highly the convenience of using the Unit, its general environment, the quality of service and care provided, and its comfort and cleanliness.

The world’s first mobile lymphoedema unit: Wales leads the way (PDF Download Available). Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/262811408_The_world%27s_first_mobile_lymphoedema_unit_Wales_leads_the_way [accessed Jul 7, 2017].