Women's needs and wants when seeing the GP in relation to menopausal issues

Abstract

Objective – To explore women's needs and wants when seeing the GP in relation to menopausal issues.

Design – A qualitative interview study.

Setting and subjects – The study was part of a larger project, targeting menopause. It included in-depth interviews of 24 women aged 52–53 years who came from all over Denmark. The women showed a great variety of menopausal experience of symptoms and treatment.

Main outcome measures – An acquaintance with the women's agendas when seeing the GP about menopausal issues.

Results and conclusion – Women consulting their GPs either wanted to discuss treatment for menopausal symptoms, to have an examination for diseases or to get a risk assessment. Their needs for medication or examination were satisfied but several women wanted more information, especially about the pros and cons of hormone therapy (HT). Risk assessment, if not requested, indicated problems, with some women feeling uncomfortable if the GPs started a discussion about HT and osteoporosis, if they only wanted an examination to be reassured that everything was normal. The authors’ findings indicate that GPs encounter a subtle balance in considering the question of risk information to menopausal women who do not request it.

• menopause
• health services needs and demand
• family practice
• doctor–patient relationship
• qualitative research

Scand J Prim Health Care 2004;22:118–121. ISSN 0281-3432

Scand J Prim Health Care 2004;22:118–121. ISSN 0281-3432