Development, content validation and feasibility of a decision aid tool for the treatment of women with menopausal symptoms

Introduction

Despite research supporting menopause hormonal therapy for menopausal women, its use continues to decline in most European countries and the United States. Experts highlighted the need for global assessment tools to assist clinicians in evaluating treatment for symptomatic menopausal women, which led to the development of the Menopause Treatment Tool, with separate versions for women and healthcare professionals. Both versions of the tool focus on menopausal symptoms, risk levels and suggested actions; the women's tool is administered prior to the consultation, while the clinician tool is administered by the clinician during the clinical consultation.

Objective

To assess content validity and feasibility of the Menopause Treatment Tool (for women and for clinicians) in clinical practice.

Methods

This non-interventional study collected post-consultation feedback through questionnaires and interviews with clinicians and questionnaires with menopausal women in the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, Switzerland, and the US. Qualitative and descriptive analyses were conducted.

Results

Eight primary care physicians (UK, US only) and 41 gynaecologists (all countries, except the UK), with an average of 13 years of practice, participated. Menopausal women (n = 172) were aged between 45 and 61 years (mean 52 years).

Based on feedback questionnaires from 160 clinicians and 156 menopausal women, most (>85 %) clinicians and women reported both tools to be convenient and valuable for discussing symptoms and treatment options. Most clinicians (>55 %) and women (>70 %) reported improved interactions and confidence in treatment decisions. Several clinicians preferred making these tools electronically available for better integration with patient records.

Conclusions

This study confirmed the Menopause Treatment Tool's content validity and feasibility for use in clinical practice. The Menopause Treatment Tool enhanced discussions between clinicians and women about menopause symptoms and treatment benefits/risks, boosting confidence in treatment decisions.