Proactive Menopause Education in Primary Care

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purpose of this quality improvement project was to support women’s health as they transition through menopause. BACKGROUND: Changes in evidence-based practice over the years has created confusion not only among patients, but providers as well. Early and proactive individual education on menopause can help improve patient outcomes, including patient perception of diagnosis, subject knowledge, and patient-provider communication. METHODS: The principle investigator delivered written and verbal education to women 40 and older in the primary care setting. Ten minutes was allotted for each session and a post-survey was offered to patients. RESULTS: Two-thirds of the respondents were between the ages of 51 and 60 years old. The other third was over the age of 60. All respondents had not had their menstrual cycle in over one year. Responses were divided evenly between having discussed menopause at the clinic in the past, having discussed it at another clinic, and never having had a provider discuss menopause with them before. Patients noted that they utilized another private practice and the internet to learn about menopause. One-third of the respondents felt the same about menopause as they did before and two-thirds felt more optimistic about menopause than in the past. All of the patients felt the discussion was appropriate for their care and that they were more likely to discuss their symptoms with the provider in the future. CONCLUSION: Overall, the intervention was effective. Post-survey analysis showed improvement in patients’ perceptions, knowledge, and willingness to communicate with the provider about menopause.