The impact of COVID‐19 on a specialised menopause clinic: Changes in practice and women's experiences.

Autor: Kozica‐Olenski, Samantha L., Ghelani, Drishti P., Boyle, Jacqueline A., Vincent, Amanda J.
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Zdroj: Australian & New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology; Jun2023, Vol. 63 Issue 3, p425-433, 9p
Abstrakt: Aims: The COVID‐19 pandemic necessitated the rapid change in a dedicated multidisciplinary menopause clinic from in‐person consultations to telehealth. The aim of this study was to explore the impact of COVID‐19 on menopause service delivery and consumer experiences. Methods: Two‐part study involving the following. (i) Clinical audit conducted June–July 2019 (pre‐COVID‐19) and June–July 2020 (COVID‐19) assessing practice and service delivery changes. Assessment outcomes included: patient demographics, cause of menopause, presence of menopause symptoms, appointment attendance, medical history, investigations and menopause treatments. (ii) A post‐clinic online survey exploring the acceptability and experience of telehealth, once telehealth models of care had been routinely used in the menopause service (2021). Results: Pre‐COVID (n = 156) and COVID‐19 (n = 150) clinic consultations were audited. Menopause care delivery changed significantly from 100% face‐to‐face consultations in 2019 to 95.4% telehealth consultations in 2020. In 2020, fewer women had investigations performed vs 2019 (P < 0.001), although use of menopausal therapies was similar (P < 0.05). Ninety‐four women completed the online survey. Most women (70%) were satisfied with their telehealth consultation and perceived that the doctor effectively communicated with them (76%). Women preferred face‐to‐face consultations for their first menopause clinic visit (69%) and telehealth for review consultations (65%). The majority of women (62%) viewed the continuation of telehealth consultations as 'moderately' to 'extremely useful' post‐pandemic. Conclusion: The COVID‐19 pandemic caused significant changes to menopause service delivery. Telehealth was perceived as feasible and acceptable by women, supporting the continuation of a hybrid service delivery model incorporating telehealth and face‐to‐face consultation to meet the needs of women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Databáze: Complementary Index
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