A New Clinical Decision Support Tool for Menopausal Symptom Management: Enhancing NP Education and Practice

The purpose of this presentation is to inform faculty of a new clinical decision making algorithm and technology that can be integrated in their practice and NP programs. This tool is designed to help women collaborate with healthcare providers in deciding whether prescription medication or other alternatives for management of menopausal symptoms would be appropriate, and, if so, to choose the optimal treatment. The algorithm and app recently released from a national organization to the public domain addressed a major gap in clinical practice and education. Often identified by women as being one of the most difficult healthcare related decision facing them at midlife is whether to use prescription medications for menopausal symptom management. Women are confused by multiple media input on what options are available, and what is safe and efficacious. What is even more basic is where they should go to get their information. Clinicians are confused about the multiple options and the complex decision making in choosing the best options and how to make choices based on risk stratification. This new app, which can be downloaded free of charge on a mobile phone or tablet device, helps clinicians and patients collaborate on shared decision making regarding best treatment options. It includes multiple links to data that will insure decisions in prescribing and counseling are evidenced based. Faculty will be able to use this in their practice and incorporate it in their content for teaching students EB prescribing of menopausal hormone therapy and other options.