Menopause-Related Education and Practice Patterns in Rehabilitation Clinicians: A Cross-Sectional Survey
Heather M. Hamilton, Rebecca E. Parr, Carey E. RothschildPurpose:
By 2030, over 1 billion women globally will be in the menopausal transition. Despite the significant impact of estrogen decline on musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and urogenital health—areas central to rehabilitation—the extent of menopause-related training among rehabilitation clinicians is unknown. This study aimed to characterize menopause-related entry-level education, postgraduate training, and clinical practices among physical therapists (PTs) and occupational therapists (OTs).
Methods:
This cross-sectional survey was conducted between August 2024 and March 2025. PTs and OTs in the United States (N = 635) completed a 39-item electronic survey assessing demographics, educational background, and clinical behaviors regarding menopause screening and management.
Results:
Most participants (PTs: 70.1%, N = 307; OTs: 89.4%, N = 176) reported that menopause was not taught in entry-level education. Furthermore, 71.2% (N = 312) of PTs and 86.8% (N = 171) of OTs completed no menopause-related continuing education. Despite this, 65.8% (N = 288) of PTs and 48.7% (N = 96) of OTs reported familiarity with nutrition and exercise recommendations for menopause, primarily sourced from online searches. While 52.3% (N = 229) of PTs “occasionally” or “frequently” discuss menopause with patients, only 26.4% (N = 52) of OTs do so. Regular use of menopause-specific outcome measures was nearly nonexistent (<3% across both professions).
Discussion:
Significant educational gaps exist in rehabilitation curricula regarding menopause, with both PTs and OTs lacking formal training and systematic assessment tools. Relying on non-peer-reviewed online sources poses a risk to evidence-based practice. Integrating menopause-specific competencies into rehabilitation education is essential to meet the needs of this growing patient population.