Mrs Paris Owen1, Mrs Swati Agrawal1, Mrs Loretta Andersen1
1Swslhd NSW Health, Campbelltown, Australia
Abstract:
This presentation aims to provide an overview of the challenges and outcomes achieved through the innovative delivery of NSW’s first 100% virtual Specialist Menopause Service (SMS).
The SWSLHD SMS is a multidisciplinary service that was launched in July 2024 as part of a networked NSW rollout of Menopause Hubs. The service is aimed towards providing care to women across four NSW health districts with severe menopause symptoms and complex management needs.
To ensure provision of an equitable service to a large geographical area, the SWSLHD SMS was piloted as a 100% virtual model, utilising multiple digital platforms. Challenges with delivery of a 100% virtual service have included engagement with culturally and linguistically diverse populations (CALD). Focus groups aimed at co-design opportunities are in progress with South West Sydney CALD community groups.
Preliminary findings demonstrate the success of a virtual model through Patient Reported Experience Measures (PREM) and Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROM) data. PREM data indicates SMS clients rate virtual delivery as ‘the same’ or ‘better – slightly better’ than a face-to-face model of service. PROM survey data, using the gold standard Menopause Quality of Life survey indicates significant improvements in all 4 domains after engagement in the service.
Based on these preliminary findings, we believe a virtual mode of delivery for Specialty multidisciplinary menopause services can provide equitable, high quality patient care and outcomes. As an exemplar service for SWSLHD, our model gives testament to the inclusion of digital platforms to enhance service delivery, patient experience and system efficiencies.