Randomised controlled trial of educational package on management of menorrhagia in primary care: the Anglia menorrhagia education study.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether an educational package could influence the management of menorrhagia, increase the appropriateness of choice of non-hormonal treatment, and reduce referral rates from primary to secondary care.


METHODS
Randomised controlled trial.


METHODS
General practices in East Anglia.


METHODS
100 practices (348 doctors) in primary care were recruited and randomised to intervention (54) and control (46).


METHODS
An educational package based on principles of "academic detailing" with independent academics was given in small practice based interactive groups with a visual presentation, a printed evidence based summary, a graphic management flow chart, and a follow up meeting at 6 months.


METHODS
All practices recorded consultation details, treatments offered, and outcomes for women with regular heavy menstrual loss (menorrhagia) over 1 year.


RESULTS
1001 consultation data sheets for menorrhagia were returned. There were significantly fewer referrals (20% v 29%; odds ratio 0. 64; 95% confidence interval 0.41 to 0.99) and a significantly higher use of tranexamic acid (odds ratio 2.38; 1.61 to 3.49) in the intervention group but no overall difference in norethisterone treatment compared with controls. There were more referrals when tranexamic acid was given with norethisterone than when it was given alone. Those practices reporting fewer than 10 cases showed the highest increase in prescribing of tranexamic acid.


CONCLUSIONS
The educational package positively influenced referral for menorrhagia and treatment with appropriate non-hormonal drugs.
Fender
G R
GR
University of Cambridge, School of Clinical Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Box 223, Rosie Maternity Hospital, Cambridge CB2 2SW.
Prentice
A
A
Gorst
T
T
Nixon
R M
RM
Duffy
S W
SW
Day
N E
NE
Smith
S K
SK
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000933:Antifibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003657:Decision Making; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing; D004739:England; D005194:Family Practice / Q000193:education*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008528:Mefenamic Acid; D008595:Menorrhagia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D009640:Norethindrone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D045167:Progesterone Congeners / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014148:Tranexamic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000933:Antifibrinolytic Agents; D045167:Progesterone Congeners; D008528:Mefenamic Acid; D014148:Tranexamic Acid; D009640:Norethindrone