The Lymphatic System and Lymphoedema: The Essentials
Demystify the lymphatic system and its role in health and disease.
Duration
3 weeksWeekly study
4 hoursLanguages
English, Italiano, Español, Français, PortuguêsEnglish, Italiano, Español
The Lymphatic System and Lymphoedema: The Essentials
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Strengthen your clinical practice with lymphatic insights
Dive into the complexities of the lymphatic system to transform your medical practice with City St George’s, University of London.
Enrol in this online short course to gain critical insights into this vital yet often overlooked area, empowering you with the knowledge to significantly enhance patient outcomes.
Prepare to rethink your approach with expert instruction.
Deepen your grasp of lymphatic anatomy and physiology
On this three-week course, you’ll explore the fundamental structures and functions within the lymphatic system.
Through the use of clinical cases, this online short course offers a solid foundation, revealing the pathways that balance fluids and strengthen immune defences.
This understanding is crucial for comprehending the system’s role in health and disease.
Explore genetic influences on lymphatic development
You’ll uncover the genetic foundations of lymphatic development, examining the genes and pathways that dictate its formation and function.
With newfound expertise, you’ll elevate your clinical skills and transform healthcare. Whether advancing your credentials or bridging educational gaps, this programme enhances your practice and patient care, providing a forward-thinking perspective for tomorrow’s medicine.
Syllabus
Week 1
Fluid Homeostasis and Immune Function
Introduction to the Course
Welcome to Week 1 where you will learn about the lymphatic system and its role in health and disease. Meet the educators who put it together.
How the Lymphatic System Maintains Fluid Balance
Learn how to navigate a scenario of a patient presenting with swollen legs in the GP surgery, from initial consultation to measuring for compression garments.
How the Lymphatic System Maintains Immune Function
Understand how lymphoedema can lead to reduced immune function.
Summary of the Week
Summary of the week, reflections and looking ahead.
Week 2
Cancer-related Lymphoedema
Welcome to Week 2
Welcome to the second week of the course. This week, you will discover the causes, challenges, and management strategies for cancer-related lymphoedema.
Cancer-related Lymphoedema
Work through a scenario of a patient presenting with breast cancer related secondary lymphoedema, from initial consultation to watching a compression bandaging session video.
Summary of the Week
Summary of the week, reflections and looking ahead.
Week 3
Primary Lymphoedema
Welcome to Week 3
Welcome to Week 3 of the course. In this final week, you will explore primary lymphoedema.
Primary Lymphoedema
Explore how faulty DNA can lead to Primary Lymphoedema.
Future Treatments and Hopes
Gain insights into emerging treatments and future possibilities through expert interviews and advancements in lymphoedema care .
Learning on this course
On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...
- Describe the basic anatomy and physiology of the lymphatic system.
- Summarise the important role the lymphatic system plays in preservation of fluid balance and host defence.
- Explore the health implications of developing secondary lymphoedema.
- Identify primary lymphoedema as a cause of lower limb swelling, and understand how to investigate with imaging and genetic testing.
Who is the course for?
This course is crafted for healthcare professionals, including clinical doctors, nurses, and pharmacists, aiming to enhance their expertise in lymphatic science. Ideal for those pursuing CPD or advancing their career in medicine and healthcare.
This course is part of a partnership between City St George’s, University of London and FutureLearn that is coming to an end. As a result, this course will retire on 24 August 2026.
Please note that the course content, data and materials are no longer being actively updated and may not reflect the most recent developments in this subject area.
We encourage you to enrol on course before the retirement date if you wish to take part.
Who will you learn with?
Prof Ostergaard has an interest in human genetics and lymphovascular biology. Her research particularly focuses on the genetic causes of primary lymphoedema.
Prof Gordon is a Consultant in Dermatology & Lymphovascular Medicine. She is Clinical Lead of the Lymphoedema Service at St George’s Hospital, London.
Who developed the course?
City St George's, University of London (formerly St George's)
City St George’s, University of London (formerly St George’s) School of Health and Medical Sciences is a leading provider of education in the fields of healthcare, medicine and psychology.
Learning on FutureLearn
Your learning, your rules
- Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
- Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
- Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores
Join a global classroom
- Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
- Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
- Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others
Map your progress
- As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
- Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
- Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate
Want to know more about learning on FutureLearn? Using FutureLearn
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