Building bridges between science and lived experience. How patient voices can shape global priorities in lymphedema care and research.
This article reports on a patient-centred workshop held at the 2025 International Lymphoedema Framework Conference that positioned people living with lymphedema as equal partners in shaping care and research priorities. Using a World Café methodology, patients and professionals engaged in structured dialogue to identify gaps in diagnosis, management, access to care, and psychosocial support. Reflexive thematic analysis of the discussions produced a patient-informed prioritization framework highlighting the disconnect between clinical models and lived experience. The findings demonstrate how integrating patient voices can bridge science and daily reality, guiding more relevant, equitable, and effective global lymphedema care and research agendas.
How to cite: Conte, Juliana; Radke, Lori; Bowman, Catharine. Pathways. 2026;15(2): 14-17. https://doi.org/10.70472/RTPC7220
Keywords: Lymphedema. Patient perspectives. Lymphedema research.
This article was published in Pathways, the quarterly print and online publication of the Canadian Lymphedema Framework. Open Access – Read Online Here
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