Swedish physicians' knowledge of and prescribing practices for menopausal hormone therapy: A nationwide cross-sectional survey

IF 3.9 2区医学 Q2 GERIATRICS & GERONTOLOGY

Maturitas Pub Date : 2025-04-11 DOI:10.1016/j.maturitas.2025.108263

Rebecca Götze Eriksson , Alkistis Skalkidou , Natalia Cruz , Angelica Lindén Hirschberg , Stavros I. Iliadis

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Objectives

To investigate current prescribing practices, knowledge levels and related disparities regarding menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) among physicians in Sweden.

Study design

A 45-item web-based MHT-focused survey conducted February–September 2023. Participants were specialists/residents in obstetrics and gynecology (gynaecologists) and general practitioners (GPs) in Sweden.

Main outcome measures

Experience with MHT prescription, prescription patterns and challenges and perceived knowledge of and adherence to national guidelines among gynaecologists and GPs, analyzed quantitatively, along with potential differences between the two groups.

Results

In total, 542 physicians answered the survey (67.9 % gynaecologists and 32.1 % GPs). Over 90 % reported meeting women with menopausal symptoms in their clinical practice and among those 94.6 % prescribed systemic MHT. GPs prescribed MHT to a significantly lesser extent than gynaecologists. GPs reported a significantly higher level of difficulty in all but one of the examined aspects of MHT prescription. GPs demonstrated significantly lower awareness of current national guidelines than gynaecologists. Regarding self-perceived assessment of MHT-related education, 47.8 % of GPs, compared with 30.6 % of gynaecologists, reported inadequate theoretical education (p < 0.001). Physicians working in metropolitan areas were more experienced in prescribing micronized progesterone and dydrogesterone.

Conclusions

Differences were observed between responding gynaecologists and GPs in MHT-related practices and knowledge. While GPs reported lower awareness of guidelines and encountered more challenges in prescribing MHT, nearly one-third of gynaecologists also indicated inadequate education in MHT. This study underscores the need for improved guideline awareness and accessible education to support evidence-based menopause care for the expanding midlife female population.

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瑞典医生对绝经期激素治疗的知识和处方实践：一项全国性的横断面调查

目的调查瑞典医生目前关于绝经期激素治疗（MHT）的处方实践、知识水平和相关差异。研究设计在2023年2月至9月进行的一项45项基于网络的mht调查。参与者是瑞典的妇产科专家/住院医师（妇科医生）和全科医生（gp）。主要结果测量：定量分析妇科医生和全科医生使用MHT处方的经验、处方模式和挑战以及对国家指南的认知和遵守情况，以及两组之间的潜在差异。结果共有542名医生接受调查，其中妇科医生67.9%，全科医生32.1%。超过90%的人报告在临床实践中遇到有更年期症状的妇女，其中94.6%的人开了全身MHT。全科医生开MHT的比例明显低于妇科医生。全科医生报告说，除了MHT处方的一个检查方面外，其他所有方面的困难程度都明显更高。全科医生对现行国家指导方针的认识明显低于妇科医生。关于mht相关教育的自我认知评估，47.8%的全科医生报告理论教育不足，而30.6%的妇科医生报告理论教育不足(p <；0.001)。在大都市地区工作的医生在开具微量孕酮和地屈孕酮处方方面更有经验。结论妇科医生与全科医生在mht相关实践和知识方面存在差异。虽然全科医生报告对指导方针的认识较低，并且在处方MHT时遇到更多挑战，但近三分之一的妇科医生也表示MHT教育不足。本研究强调需要提高指南意识和可及性教育，以支持对不断扩大的中年女性人口的循证更年期护理。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Maturitas 医学-妇产科学

CiteScore

9.10

自引率

2.00%

发文量

142

审稿时长

40 days

期刊介绍： Maturitas is an international multidisciplinary peer reviewed scientific journal of midlife health and beyond publishing original research, reviews, consensus statements and guidelines, and mini-reviews. The journal provides a forum for all aspects of postreproductive health in both genders ranging from basic science to health and social care. Topic areas include:• Aging• Alternative and Complementary medicines• Arthritis and Bone Health• Cancer• Cardiovascular Health• Cognitive and Physical Functioning• Epidemiology, health and social care• Gynecology/ Reproductive Endocrinology• Nutrition/ Obesity Diabetes/ Metabolic Syndrome• Menopause, Ovarian Aging• Mental Health• Pharmacology• Sexuality• Quality of Life