DNP Projects
Date of Award
7-28-2026
Document Type
Graduate Paper
Degree Name
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Department
Nursing
First Advisor
Jennifer Peterson
Subject Categories
Nursing
Abstract
Background
Menopause is associated with symptoms that can significantly diminish quality of life. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) remains the most effective intervention for moderate to severe menopausal symptoms. Despite evidence-based guidelines endorsing its use in appropriately selected patients, HRT utilization remains limited.
Local Problem
A gap in provider knowledge and confidence regarding HRT prescribing was identified in a rural primary care clinic in the Midwestern United States. The clinical needs assessment revealed an absence of standardized menopause-specific education and highlighted an opportunity to improve evidence-based menopause management.
Methods
This quality improvement project employed a pre-post educational design guided by the Plan-Do-Study-Act framework. Provider knowledge, attitudes, and confidence were measured using pre- and post-intervention surveys. Intervention The intervention consisted of a brief narrated educational module and a resource guide addressing evidence-based HRT use, associated risks and benefits, the Women’s Health Initiative, current clinical guidelines, and shared decision-making.
Intervention
The intervention consisted of a brief narrated educational module and a resource guide addressing evidence-based HRT use, associated risks and benefits, the Women’s Health Initiative, current clinical guidelines, and shared decision-making.
Results
Eleven providers were invited to participate, with five completing both surveys, resulting in a 45.5% completion rate. Following the intervention, the proportion of providers rating their HRT knowledge as good or very good increased from 20% to 60%. The percentage of providers reporting moderate or greater familiarity with current clinical guidelines rose from 20% to 100%, and those willing to recommend HRT in most appropriate cases increased from 60% to 80%. Furthermore, 80% indicated they were likely or very likely to increase future HRT use. Participant responses demonstrated a more nuanced understanding of HRT risks and benefits and contributed to the development of a provider toolkit.
Conclusions
A brief educational intervention enhanced provider knowledge, familiarity with current clinical guidelines, and willingness to recommend HRT in a rural primary care setting. Targeted provider education and clinical resources may facilitate evidence-based menopause management. However, long-term evaluation of prescribing practices and patient outcomes remains necessary.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Schmidt, Caitlin, "Improving Provider Knowledge and Confidence in Hormone Replacement Therapy Through a Quality Improvement Educational Intervention" (2026). DNP Projects. 25.
https://digitalcommons.csbsju.edu/nursing_dnp/25