Samenvatting

The article is based on a practice orientated explorative research project. The main objective of the research was to assess the secondary lymphoedema that may occur post operative of cutaneous melanoma in the State of Victoria, Australia. An attempt has been made to formulate recommendations for improving the secondary lymphoedema approach in Victoria.
These improvements are based on skin therapists which are allied health care professionals in the Netherlands. In Victoria lymphoedema is being under diagnosed, there is a lack of lymphoedema practitioners and the current awareness in regard to lymphoedema is low. In the Netherlands skin therapy is proven to be very beneficial for patients suffering from lymphoedema. The skin therapists are qualified experts on lymphoedema and they might be able to bridge the existing gap between health care providers and patients needs in Victoria.