Mrs Helen Edwards1,2, Dr Mia Schuamberg2, Dr Andrew Hislop3, Dr Prudence Millear2
1Caboolture Hospital, Caboolture, Australia, 2University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Australia, 3The Prince Charles Hospital, Chermside, Australia
Biography:
Helen is a pelvic health physiotherapist working as Clinical Lead (Gynaecology Physiotherapy Screening Clinic and Physiotherapy Pelvic Health Service) at Caboolture Hospital. She has a passion for women’s health, lifestyle medicine and the connection between mind and body and has attained qualifications in counselling and additional training in lifestyle medicine. Helen also works in private practice providing online therapy / education and paddock based equine supported physiotherapy.
Currently Helen is involved in research and is undertaking a PhD at the University of the Sunshine Coast, exploring the impacts of menopause in the workplace at Caboolture, Kilcoy and Woodford Health Directorate.
Aims:
This research investigated understanding of menopause, perceptions of work culture around menopause, perceived impact of menopause related symptoms (MRS) on work performance including patient care, and prevalence, severity and bother of MRS in the workplace.
Methods:
A mixed-method online survey was distributed to all staff within the health service directorate. Validated tools included Menopause Rating Scale and Utrecht Work Engagement Scale. Quantitative data were analysed using SPSS and qualitative data analysed for content per participant group (Males, Premenopausal, Perimenopausal and Postmenopausal women).
Results:
A total of 334 staff participated (Men [n=32], Premenopausal [n=103], Perimenopausal [n=91] and Postmenopausal women [n=99]). Minimal understanding of menopause ranged from 7.9% (Postmenopause) to 51% (Males) of respondents. Respondents agreeing that MRS may impact patient care ranged from 29% (Males) to 41.6% (Postmenopause). Two or more MRS affected 97.6% (N= 168) of postmenopausal participants. Some staff reported impacts of MRS such as reduced tolerance and empathy affecting interactions with patients and/or colleagues (n=12). Work engagement was significantly negatively associated with psychological symptoms of menopause. One in ten peri/postmenopausal staff felt supported at work.
Conclusions:
Menopause related symptoms affect peri- and postmenopausal staff in healthcare roles, with implications for staff culture, wellbeing and patient care.