Menopause GAP
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Menopause GAP: exploring inequalities in MENOPAUSE care in GenerAl Practice using qualitative methodology
IRAS ID
323876
Contact name
Sarah Hillman
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of warwick
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 4 months, 1 days
Research summary
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can be prescribed for menopause symptoms, as well as to prevent other longer-term problems that increase after the menopause, such as osteoporosis (thinner bones) and heart disease.
Although such women may benefit from HRT, our previous research showed that general practitioners (GPs) in more deprived areas prescribe less HRT to women than in other areas. Previous research has also shown that Black and South Asian women are less likely to be prescribed HRT. The reasons for this, and the extent to which
this relates to women’s expectations or how menopause care is organised and delivered is unknown.
We aim to understand this problem by carrying out:
1. Interviews and focus groups to explore with women, particularly from groups that are less often prescribed HRT (such as women from deprived areas and also Black and South Asian women) their experiences of obtaining information, care and support for the menopause and of menopause care in general practice. About forty women
will be recruited to take part in the study through GPs and through leaders of community groups.
2. Focus groups with healthcare professionals in general practice to explore the challenges to providing menopause care (particularly GPs working within populations that are ethnically diverse and deprived) and how these can be overcome.
The interviews and focus groups will be recorded, transcribed, and carefully analysed to identify key insights relevant to understanding women’s experiences and ways of improving the menopause care that is available to them.
The results will be shared through local community groups, social media channels, a webinar, published in journals and presented at conferences. We will also produce some advice and information for women about the menopause and treatment options; the form that this will take will be decided with the women involved in the
project, but could be an infographic, leaflet, or online sharable video.REC name
London - Bloomsbury Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/LO/0401
Date of REC Opinion
6 Jun 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion