MENOPAUSE SUPPORT NETWORK

Due to advances in modern medicine, on average a woman will live one-third of her life after the menopause. This means that problems associated with prolonged oestrogen deficiency, such as osteoporosis and heart disease, are becoming increasingly important in primary care provision.

A woman's attention to her health during and after menopause will be influenced by the information which she obtains from her GP, nurse, friends, family and the media. But despite the enormous amount of information available, a 1992 Opinion Poll survey* showed that two thirds of the 1,000 women questioned did not even know the cause of the menopause.

The Menopause Support Network aims to address the lack of knowledge and counselling facilities highlighted by the survey results, by providing the skills and resources to nurses working in general practice to run menopause support groups.

What is the Menopause Support Network (MSN)?

The Menopause Support Network is an educational initiative providing training and information for nurses in the community to run menopause groups for women in their practice. The main objective is to educate women about the menopause in a balanced manner, so that they can make informed choices about their health at this important stage in their life.

The menopause groups will tackle serious health issues such as osteoporosis and heart disease and provide information on HRT and diet, as well as lifestyle topics such as aromatherapy and stress management. The groups will be coordinated by practice nurses, assisted by health visitors in some cases, and will run for two hours each week over a period of four-six weeks.

What are the aims and objectives of the MSN?

The key aims and objectives of the Menopause Support Network are:

• To provide nurses with the information, resources and skills necessary to run a menopause support group.
• To reach menopausal women within a participating practice and provide them with accurate and balanced information about the menopause, which will help them to make informed choices about their own health, lifestyle and any preventative measures they can take to protect themselves.
• To cover menopause issues and concerns in a supportive group setting and thereby reduce the time spent on individual consultations.

What topics are covered on the course?

Topics covered on the course fall into two categories:-
i) HEALTH - Signs and Symptoms
- HRT
- Osteoporosis
- Heart Disease
- Miscellaneous Health
- Further Clinical Information

ii) LIFESTYLE - Emotional Aspects
- Massage and Relaxation
- Stress Management
- Makeover
- Miscellaneous Lifestyle
- Further Lifestyle Information

One topic from each section is covered during each weekly session of the course.

MSN resources manual

A Resource Manual has been compiled to assist nurses in general practice in the running of the Menopause Support Groups.

Each section of the manual includes the following:

• Key messages to be reinforced to the women.
• Clinical/background information.
• Facilitation exercises.
• Common questions and answers.
• Patient self-assessment questionnaires.
• Resources directory, including contact details for organisations/speakers and sources of sample leaflets/videos.

Training in group leadership skills

Advice on how to set-up, run and evaluate groups effectively is included in the "Facilitation and Organisation" section contained at the front of the manual. This is augmented by Facilitation Skills Training Workshops which are organised for all nurses participating in the MSN.

HRT master classes

PGEA accredited courses in advanced clinical skills are also available for all GPs, practice nurses and health visitors within an MSN-participating region, to ensure that they are aware of the most up-to-date clinical information, especially covering 'difficult' patients, such as HRT for diabetic/hypertensive women.

MSN benefits to the practice

• Training: Group Facilitation skills will benefit nurses in general practice for any group work undertaken, not just on the subject of the menopause. Increased knowledge of the menopause will enable the practice nurses to take on a larger role in the management and counselling of menopausal women.
• RCN Accreditation: The MSN has been given accreditation as an approved educational event.
• Participating nurses will receive Continuing Education Points (CEPs).
• Cost: Facilitation training, clinical skills update and MSN resource materials are provided at no cost to the practice.
• Time: Counselling women in groups of 8-10 saves GP time spent on a series of individual consultations and may be more effective in meeting the women's needs.
• Women's Health Education: The MSN tackles topics such as diet and exercise, stress and emotional aspects of the menopause, as well as signs and symptoms of the menopause and HRT, so patients are encouraged to follow an all round healthy lifestyle. Patients' self confidence in coping with this stage in life should also be enhanced.
• Better Compliance on HRT: Research has shown that when women have been thoroughly counselled and have sufficient knowledge of HRT, compliance is improved and the number of GP consultations may be reduced.
• Family Health Education: Women at risk of osteoporosis or heart disease can be identified and counselled, so their long term health can be improved. In addition, the woman is often the means of access to the rest of the family, and by educating her about diet and heart disease, the health of the whole family may be improved.

The Menopause Support Network
Haymarket House
28/29 Haymarket
London
SW1Y 4SP

020-7344 1200
020-7344 1222

References

The 1992 NOP national survey consisted of 1,017 women aged 45-58, interviewed face-to-face in their own homes. Th were selected randomly from a representative cross-section of socio-economic groups.

Associated Medical Information