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Women's responses to a mailed hormone replacement therapy workbook
K M Newton1, A Z LaCroix, D S Buist
1Center for Health Studies, Group Health Cooperative, Seattle, Washington 98101, USA. newton.k@ghc.org
Menopause (New York, N.Y.)
|August 31, 2001
Summary
A mailed workbook effectively prepared midlife women for discussions about hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and related health issues with their providers. The tool showed promise in enhancing patient-provider communication for informed decision-making.
Area of Science:
- Women's Health
- Health Communication
- Decision Science
Background:
- Communicating complex health decisions, such as hormone replacement therapy (HRT) use, to midlife women is challenging.
- Existing decision-making tools for HRT often lack rigorous evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of a workbook designed to promote informed decision-making regarding HRT among midlife women.
- To assess women's engagement with and utilization of the HRT decision-making workbook.
Main Methods:
- A workbook was developed to prepare women (aged 45-65) for discussions on HRT, osteoporosis, heart disease, and breast cancer.
- Women were randomized into groups receiving the workbook and surveys, or surveys only.
- Study included 580 women with an 84.2% response rate.
Main Results:
- 79% of women recalled receiving the workbook; 51% read most of it.
- Significant percentages completed self-assessments on osteoporosis, heart disease, breast cancer, and HRT.
- 10% made provider appointments, and 12% discussed HRT with providers due to the workbook.
Conclusions:
- A mailed workbook is a promising, simple method to prepare women for discussions on HRT and related health topics.
- The workbook can facilitate informed decision-making and enhance patient-provider communication.