Abstract
Objective
To investigate the experience of remote outpatient menopause service delivery by clinicians and patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods
Two surveys explored the experiences of patients and clinicians separately. Patients attending menopause clinics in the UK were directed to an online survey which included questions on demographics and on their experience of their most recent appointment. A clinician survey was shared to members of the British Menopause Society (BMS) via email and was made available on the BMS website. It contained questions on clinic characteristics and clinicians’ experience of delivering remote consultations. Surveys were available for completion between 01/12/2020 and 10/02/2021.
Results
Of 180 patients who completed the patient survey, 52% felt remote consultations were the same or better than face-to-face consultations, and 90% of patients felt a choice between remote and face-to-face consultations should be offered. Patients overall were satisfied with many aspects of care, though numerous problems were highlighted with appointment administration.
Of 76 clinicians who completed the clinician survey, most found remote patient consultations either no different, or a bit worse than face-to face consultations but found that they offered more flexibility. In some cases, significant rescheduling was necessary to accommodate for the clinical needs of the consultation.
Conclusion
A ‘one-size-fits-all” approach to managing the delivery of menopause care is not supported by patients or clinicians. There must be a robust process in place to avoid problems with appointment scheduling and associated communications. Lessons learned from the pandemic can help to provide holistic menopause care.
To investigate the experience of remote outpatient menopause service delivery by clinicians and patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods
Two surveys explored the experiences of patients and clinicians separately. Patients attending menopause clinics in the UK were directed to an online survey which included questions on demographics and on their experience of their most recent appointment. A clinician survey was shared to members of the British Menopause Society (BMS) via email and was made available on the BMS website. It contained questions on clinic characteristics and clinicians’ experience of delivering remote consultations. Surveys were available for completion between 01/12/2020 and 10/02/2021.
Results
Of 180 patients who completed the patient survey, 52% felt remote consultations were the same or better than face-to-face consultations, and 90% of patients felt a choice between remote and face-to-face consultations should be offered. Patients overall were satisfied with many aspects of care, though numerous problems were highlighted with appointment administration.
Of 76 clinicians who completed the clinician survey, most found remote patient consultations either no different, or a bit worse than face-to face consultations but found that they offered more flexibility. In some cases, significant rescheduling was necessary to accommodate for the clinical needs of the consultation.
Conclusion
A ‘one-size-fits-all” approach to managing the delivery of menopause care is not supported by patients or clinicians. There must be a robust process in place to avoid problems with appointment scheduling and associated communications. Lessons learned from the pandemic can help to provide holistic menopause care.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 85-93 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Journal | Post-Reproductive Health |
| Volume | 29 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| Early online date | 8 May 2023 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | E-pub ahead of print - 8 May 2023 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: HP was supported by funding from the National Institute of Health and Social Care’s Guidelines Technical Support Unit and Bristol Technology Assessment Group.
Funding Information:
Thanks to all members of the British Menopause Society’s Medical Advisory Council with their help in designing the survey questions. The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: HP was supported by funding from the National Institute of Health and Social Care’s Guidelines Technical Support Unit and Bristol Technology Assessment Group.
Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2023.