The intervention person-centered individual support (PCS)
guilt, stress-related ill
DISEASE, OESTROGEN DEFICIENCY, MRS
Five structured individual person-centered support sessions were carried out by a district nurse or midwife. The topics discussed were the same as in GE but were adapted to the woman’s individual situation and based on the woman´s narratives, needs, resources and beliefs.The sessions contained a dialogue on symptoms of stress-related ill health, what is happening in the body (physiology), relationships, sexuality, coping strategies, managing demands, requirement, feelings of guilt, exercise, diet, physiology on ageing women, hormonal conversion, menstrual cycle, hot flashes and sweating, local oestrogen deficiency, cardiovascular health, smoking, use of alcohol, sleep and stress. Pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment options as well as self-care advice were discussed.PCS was personally tailored focusing on important stressors for that particular woman. PCS specifically focused on necessary changes and “how should I do it” and “how should I think about it” to achieve a better quality of life. It also contained information and discussions about biological and physiological processes as well as psychological, emotional and social aspects of the natural menopause transition. The discussion focused on factors that prevent disease by promoting physical, emotional and social well-being.First session: Person-centered assessment conversation based on the woman's needs, based on the women´s narratives, needs, resources, beliefs, and goals. A mapping of stressors was performed using the outcome of rating scales (MRS, s-ED, HADS, AUDIT) and mood on a visual analog scale (VAS 1–100 mm) and these were jointly reviewed and discussed. VAS was used as a tool in PCS and is therefore not evaluated as part of the study. If there was a need for pharmacologic treatment or sick leave a physician from PHC was contacted, and treatment was followed up.The second to fourth sessions were also person-centered. Each session opened with a recap of the previous session. The fifth session contained a summary and discussion of previous sessions and the patient filled in the same rating scales as in the first session, and tools for coping strategies were discussed.