With menopause emerging from the shadows and into the national health spotlight, Jean Hailes for Women’s Health is stepping up its long-standing commitment to educating health professionals.
Two newly developed online courses – Managing menopause in general practice and Understanding menopause for nurses and midwives – are designed to boost knowledge, confidence and clinical care for women experiencing menopause and perimenopause.
Available free of charge, thanks to generous support from the Australian Government, the courses offer evidence-based, practical guidance tailored to the distinct roles of general practitioners, nurses and midwives.
“For GPs, it’s a refresher course developed by experts with a special interest in women’s health in midlife and menopause,” says Susanne Sofronoff, who manages the health professional program at Jean Hailes.
“The course provides up-to-date information on diagnosis, consultation and both hormonal and non-hormonal treatment options. It’s especially useful for GPs who may not often see patients presenting with menopause-related issues or who want to revisit previous training.”
Delivered online, the GP course takes about 2 hours to complete and is accredited with the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) and the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) continuing professional development (CPD) programs.
Nurses and midwives can enrol in a 1-hour course designed to strengthen their understanding of menopause. Endorsed by the Australian Primary Care Nurses Association (APNA) and the Australian College of Midwives (ACM), the course will support the vital role of nurses and midwives in women’s health across clinical settings.
“The nature of nursing provides opportunities for prevention and early detection, which may identify menopausal symptoms during other routine screenings,” Ms Sofronoff explains. “Midwives have also expressed interest in learning more about menopause, especially as they can encounter women in early menopause or simply want to enhance their existing knowledge.”
We developed the courses in partnership with the Australasian Menopause Society, to ensure clinical accuracy and relevance. GPs and nurses from our clinic also helped review the content.
“There’s been a legacy issue with menopause education,” says Ms Sofronoff.
“For years, due to outdated studies linking menopausal hormone therapy to cancer, doctors avoided the topic, which left many women suffering without help. These courses aim to change that.”
Course uptake since launch has been strong, with positive feedback from health professionals and continual refinements to enhance usability. Topics range from identifying menopausal symptoms to integrating lifestyle advice, and recognising when to refer or escalate care.
With growing media attention on menopause and more women seeking answers, we hope the program will empower the healthcare workforce to support half the population through a life stage that has too often been misunderstood or overlooked.
“These courses are a direct response to health organisations, health professionals and women advocating for a greater focus on women’s health during midlife,” says Ms Sofronoff. “They’re practical, grounded in evidence, and a crucial step toward improving outcomes for women across Australia.”
To build your confidence and clinical skills in menopause care, enrol in our free online courses today. Designed for GPs, nurses and midwives, and developed with the Australasian Menopause Society, these evidence-based programs offer practical, up-to-date guidance to support better outcomes for women.
All reasonable steps have been taken to ensure the information created by Jean Hailes Foundation, and published on this website is accurate as at the time of its creation.
© 2025 Jean Hailes Foundation. All rights reserved. This publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part by any means without written permission of the copyright owner. Contact: licensing@jeanhailes.org.au
