Factors underpinning an improved menopausal experience in the workplace for doctors: a UK-based qualitative study
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Published version
Author(s)
Adelekan-Kamara, Yasmin
Mohammed-Hareef, Asunramu
Karmanpreet, Bhullar
Leedham-Green, Kathleen
Duah-Asante, Kwaku
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Objectives: A recent BMA survey revealed that very few NHS doctors felt comfortable discussing symptoms with their managers, and many feel unable to make changes to their working lives to accommodate their menopause. An improved menopausal experience (IME) in the workplace has been associated with increased job satisfaction, increased economic participation, and reduced absenteeism. Currently, existing literature fails to explore menopausal doctors’ experiences and none factors in non-menopausal colleagues' perspectives. This qualitative study aims to determine the factors underpinning an IME for UK doctors.
Design: Qualitative study using semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis.
Participants: Menopausal doctors (n=21) and non-menopausal (n=20) doctors including men.
Setting: General practices and hospitals in the UK.
Results: Four overarching themes underpinning an IME were identified: menopausal knowledge and awareness, openness to discussion, organisational culture, and supported personal autonomy. The levels of knowledge held by menopausal participants themselves, their colleagues and their superiors were identified as crucial in determining menopausal experiences. Likewise, the ability to openly discuss menopause was also identified as an important factor. The NHS culture, gender dynamics and an adopted superhero mentality - where doctors feel compelled to prioritise work over personal well-being - further impacted under the umbrella of Organisational culture. Personal autonomy at work was considered important in improving menopausal experiences at work for doctors. The Superhero Mentality, lack of organisational support and a lack of open discussion were identified as novel themes not found in current literature, particularly in the healthcare context.
Conclusions: This study highlights that doctors’ factors underpinning an IME in the workplace are comparable to other sectors. The potential benefits of an IME for doctors in the NHS are considerable. NHS leaders can address these challenges by utilising pre-existing training materials and resources for their employers if menopausal doctors feel supported and retained.
Design: Qualitative study using semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis.
Participants: Menopausal doctors (n=21) and non-menopausal (n=20) doctors including men.
Setting: General practices and hospitals in the UK.
Results: Four overarching themes underpinning an IME were identified: menopausal knowledge and awareness, openness to discussion, organisational culture, and supported personal autonomy. The levels of knowledge held by menopausal participants themselves, their colleagues and their superiors were identified as crucial in determining menopausal experiences. Likewise, the ability to openly discuss menopause was also identified as an important factor. The NHS culture, gender dynamics and an adopted superhero mentality - where doctors feel compelled to prioritise work over personal well-being - further impacted under the umbrella of Organisational culture. Personal autonomy at work was considered important in improving menopausal experiences at work for doctors. The Superhero Mentality, lack of organisational support and a lack of open discussion were identified as novel themes not found in current literature, particularly in the healthcare context.
Conclusions: This study highlights that doctors’ factors underpinning an IME in the workplace are comparable to other sectors. The potential benefits of an IME for doctors in the NHS are considerable. NHS leaders can address these challenges by utilising pre-existing training materials and resources for their employers if menopausal doctors feel supported and retained.
Date Issued
2023-03-07
Date Acceptance
2022-11-20
Citation
BMJ Open, 2023, 13 (3), pp.1-11
ISSN
2044-6055
Publisher
BMJ Journals
Start Page
1
End Page
11
Journal / Book Title
BMJ Open
Volume
13
Issue
3
Copyright Statement
© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2023. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
This is an open access article distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited, appropriate credit is given, any changes made indicated, and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/.
This is an open access article distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited, appropriate credit is given, any changes made indicated, and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/.
Identifier
https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/13/3/e060265
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2023-03-07