A new survey by the British Menopause Society (BMS) has revealed that there is an underlying gap in the knowledge of newly qualified healthcare professionals around the transition to menopause.
Of those responding to the survey, 72% believe newly qualified healthcare professionals have not been provided with enough education about menopause. And, with more individuals empowered to research treatments available to them, this level of knowledge is leading to challenges for healthcare professionals, who increasingly experience difficulties managing expectations around hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and other treatments.More on this topic
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However, with recent publicity around the possible over-prescribing of HRT, the BMS urges caution when it comes to demands for higher than licensed HRT doses, or for testosterone as a ‘cure all’ for menopause symptoms, such as brain fog, mood and energy levels. More research is still needed in terms of the potential benefits and risks of these treatments.
I welcome the new education platform from the British Menopause Society as it is designed to inform clinicians and other healthcare practitioners, including primary care nurses and prescribers, about menopause, its symptoms, and proven treatments. It also educates around symptoms relating to premature ovarian insufficiency, breast cancer, and abnormal bleeding, advising when to seek advice from more experienced and qualified professionals.
The aim of the education platform is to address the gap between patient expectations around menopause by increasing the number of GPs with specialist training, as well as in other healthcare professions.
This type of education is needed, not just to plug the gap in knowledge, but to also address the issues facing healthcare professionals – 78% of the healthcare professionals surveyed said they spend additional time trying to correct misinformation, and 64% often see women who have bought products and services that are not clinically verified.
Perhaps more alarming from the survey, is the number of clinicians who fear legal action against themselves, because practitioners have provided a prescription that patients demand should be upheld by the NHS, despite guidance to the contrary.
The BMS’ mission is to empower individuals, and clinicians, to make informed choices about menopause and the treatments available. This starts with educating those new to the profession so that they can confidently address the symptoms and demands from their patients. It continues with ensuring people can also access good quality information that helps them to find the right treatment options available to them, should they be struggling with this transition.