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Updated: Jan 9, 2026
A Revised Method for Inducing Secondary Lymphedema in the Hindlimb of Mice
Published on: November 2, 2019
Using Group Concept Mapping to Define Priorities for Lymphedema Care and Research
Sara P Myers1,2, Min-Jeong Cho3, Erin E Burke1
1Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA.
Background:
Cancer-related lymphedema is a common, lifelong, and disabling condition resulting from oncologic treatments. Although multidisciplinary collaboration enhances patient outcomes, a framework for research and therapeutic priorities for prevention and treatment is lacking. This study utilizes group concept mapping (GCM), a participatory research methodology, to highlight clinical and scholarly priorities.
Methods:
Providers and researchers involved in lymphedema care at The Ohio State University, a Lymphatic Education & Research Network (LE&RN) Center of Excellence, participated in a GCM study between November 2024 and January 2025. The groupwisdom® web-platform was used to (1) generate ideas for clinical/academic priorities for multidisciplinary collaboration, (2) sort priorities into categories, and (3) rate priorities on (a) the basis of their contribution to value-based care and (b) likelihood to secure research funding. Hierarchical cluster analysis yielded two-dimensional representations of conceptual similarity between items. Ratings were synthesized into GoZone plots demonstrating priorities most likely to secure funding and contribute to high-value care.
Results:
Thirty-five participants identified 74 priority areas. Cluster domains included: (1) identification/validation of patient-reported outcome metrics, (2) optimizing prospective surveillance, (3) surgical prevention/management of lymphedema, (4) diagnosis of lymphedema and downstream sequelae, (5) identifying risk factors/prediction tools, (6) basic/translational research, and (7) access to care/resource utilization. Improving access to care and mitigating resource barriers were deemed most impactful for delivering high-value care and ability to secure research funding.
Conclusions:
Priorities identified at our LE&RN Lymphedema Center of Excellence provide a framework for multidisciplinary collaboration to improve care delivery and patient outcomes for those with and at-risk for cancer-related lymphedema.
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