Gynaecology nursing staff knowledge on hormone replacement therapy

Abstract

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is a highly debatable subject around the world due to studies proving different findings. Research demonstrated that Gyneacologists prescribed HRT, not only to reduce menopausal complaints, but also to prevent chronic diseases, such as, Breast cancer. Nurses should be informed about HRT. They should adequately inform women using HRT about the medication. This study was carried out to explore the knowledge of the Gynaecology nursing staff on HRT. It was done by means of a small-scale study with a qualitative approach. The questionnaire was given to 20 nurses by the student, who were conveniently chosen from the Gynaecology Wards and Outpatients' Gynaecology Clinic Departments in one teaching hospital in Malta. The response rate was 100%. The findings showed that most of the nurses learnt about HRT through experience on the job (n=12), some type of information was given by ten nurses, although seven nurses believed it was the doctors' job to administer information. Four nurses implied that the doctor was the person who gave all the information to the patient/client. Nine nurses stated that the bulk of information they gave was about side effects, benefits, contra-indications while leaving the choice for the client to weigh the pros and cons of the decision for treatment. Twelve nurses responded that the major contra-indication was breast cancer. The nurses pointed out that the breast cancer might have been present before starting HRT. Since this is a small scale study, it is suggested that further studies will be carried out with a larger sample of nurses by means of face to face interviews for in depth information or by a quantitative method. It is recommended that the nurses need to increase the information on HRT and the management of menopause. Thus, this information will increase their knowledge on HRT, which in turn will help them educate their patients/clients.