The purpose of this research study is to examine the impact of educational secure messages on menopause. In particular, the investigators will examine whether the secure messages increase menopause knowledge and communication between patients and their providers.
The overall goal of this project is to determine the effectiveness of the MEANS (MyHealtheVet to Enable And Negotiate for Shared decision making) intervention in improving women's self-reported knowledge and rates of diagnosis and appropriate management of menopause symptoms. The proposed intervention is an educational and shared decision making platform for menopause symptoms to improve communication between patients and their providers regarding menopause symptoms. MEANS combines educational secure messages through the Veterans Affairs online Personal Health Record called MyHealtheVet, along with face-to-face and print interventions. MEANS will be applied in target population consisting of postmenopausal women Veterans ages 45 to 60 who receive primary care at the Miami Veterans Affairs Healthcare System. This project will enroll women in MyHealtheVet, develop a library of menopause symptoms material for distribution, and evaluate how useful of MyHealtheVet use for educating and tracking women regarding menopause symptoms.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
859
Participants read educational material about menopause and treatment option for menopause symptoms once a week using secure messaging on a electronic patient portal.
Miami Veterans Affairs Healthcare System
Miami, Florida, United States
Menopause Knowledge
Total menopause knowledge score (a) before and after the intervention, an average of 6-months and (b) compared to a control group of eligible women patients between 45-60 years who do not receive the intervention at the West Palm Beach and Orlando Veterans Healthcare System. Score is the percent of knowledge questions answered correctly (0 - 100%)
Time frame: 6-months
Feasibility of patient portal use for educating and tracking women regarding menopause and menopause related symptoms.
The study will send weekly secure messages regarding menopause, and ask participants to report their menopause related symptoms by secure messaging. The research study will track the number of times participants read the weekly information sent via MyHealtheVet and the proportion of times they respond.
Time frame: 6-months
Shared decision making
Self-reported rate of shared decision making among women veteran and their providers.
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 3-years
Menopause related diagnosis
Rates of diagnosis and appropriate management of menopause related symptoms and use of hormone therapy.
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 3-years
Focus Group
Qualitative assessment of the interventions through participant semi-structure focus group interviews.
Time frame: 6-months
Patient portal registration and authentication
Measure the number of eligible women patients in the Miami Veterans Healthcare System who are enrolled and authenticated in the patient portal before and after the intervention.
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Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 3-years