Category: Federal Forum Posters
Purpose: The average age of menopause onset is 51 years old and there are over 950,000 women veterans nationwide over the age of 50. Due to the expected increase in women seeking treatment for menopausal symptoms, the need for providers who are comfortable and knowledgeable in the treatment of bothersome menopausal symptoms is growing. Pharmacists can serve as a resource and provide care for women in midlife. The primary objective of this study is to assess the management of menopausal symptoms in female veterans seen by a designated clinical pharmacist or a primary care provider.
Methods: This study is a retrospective chart review of female veterans receiving care for menopausal symptoms by a gynecology designated clinical pharmacist or from a primary care physician from August 1, 2013 to August 31, 2017. Women will be included who were seen in person or by phone for menopausal symptoms in the Gynecology Specialty Clinic by the clinical pharmacist or a primary care physician in an outpatient clinic. Women will be excluded if they received care from an outside provider for menopausal symptom management, were lost to follow up after initial visit, or who were seen by a gynecology physician or nurse practitioner. The outcomes and symptoms resolution will be compared. Patients will be identified based on their ICD-9/ICD-10 diagnosis of menopausal symptoms or by active outpatient prescriptions during the study period. The primary outcome is control of vasomotor menopausal symptoms through patient self-reported presence of symptoms or improvement of symptoms at initial appointment, 6-month follow-up, and 12-month follow-up. Secondary outcomes include medication name and dose used, total number of medications used, number of appointments related to menopausal symptom management, documentation of vaginal symptoms discussion, and documentation of non-pharmacologic interventions.
Results: Not applicable
Conclusion: Not applicable
Lindsey Grinstead
– PGY1 Pharmacy Resident, Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indianapolis, IN139 Views