By: 29 October 2024
British Menopause Society launches education platform to improve evidence-based training for Healthcare Professionals

A new survey by the British Menopause Society (BMS) for World Menopause Day reveals many Healthcare Professionals (HCPs) believe there is insufficient training and education around menopause.*

The survey also shows that an increasing number of women are seeking support from HCPs through their menopause transition, but aren’t always able to access adequate services. The BMS has launched a new education platform to help address these challenges in menopause care.

In the survey of British Menopause Society (BMS) members:

  • 72% believe newly qualified HCPs have not been given enough education about the menopause.
  • 55% believe there is insufficient evidence-based education and training for qualified HCPs.
  • 98% say more women are seeking treatment.
  • 72% believe women do not have adequate access to services.

Professor Janice Rymer, Chair of the BMS, said: “With increased awareness around the menopause, more women are actively seeking support. However, we are acutely aware of the pressure this places on HCPs. An enormous amount of work from a team of highly experienced clinicians has translated evidence-based, peer reviewed clinical information into an accessible education platform that is relevant for a wide range of medical professionals. With more HCPs giving clinical advice on the menopause, more women will receive the treatment and support they need.”

The survey also demonstrates that while it is positive that more women are seeking treatment and support, there is still more work to do to improve access to evidence-based information for women around menopause:

  • Nearly 80% of BMS members see women getting their information from social media, and nearly 50% from influencers.
  • The level of knowledge around menopause is leading to challenges for HCPs:
    • 78% experience difficulties managing expectations around Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT).
    • 78% spend additional time correcting misinformation.
    • 64% see women buying products / services that aren’t clinically verified.
    • 14% fear legal action being taken against them.

Since going live, over one thousand e-learners have registered for this course, demonstrating its importance and relevance.

An HCP using the new platform said: “Its role in giving evidence-based information to professionals is invaluable. It fills a void in the educational resources for healthcare professionals like me who want to better manage women seeking menopause advice and treatment, and to know when it is more appropriate to refer on to advanced specialists in women’s health and gynaecological care.”

The BMS Management of the Menopause Certificate is a complete online education package that enables healthcare professionals to develop the confidence needed to deal with 95% of patients who walk through their door, leaving only the 5% of complex cases to be referred for specialist menopause care.

 

For more information visit https://thebms.org.uk/education/principles-practice-of-menopause-care/management-of-the-menopause-certificate/

*About the survey: The survey was conducted by the British Menopause Society with a total of 157 responses from BMS members. Respondents are GPs (40%), consultants (20%) and nurses (20%), with trainees, pharmacists, therapists, physios and nutritionists also represented.

Source: The British Menopause Society