Development of a Framework for Menopause Competence - VAITO

Development of a Menopause Competence Operating Model (VAITO) – The goal of the project is to strengthen the skills of primary and occupational healthcare professionals in identifying and treating menopause, and to create an operating model that ensures services support the wellbeing and work ability of women in menopause age. The VAITO model consists of a training package for healthcare professionals, concrete treatment practices, and operational models, which will be integrated into a whole and published in an open-access menopause information portal. The project promotes multidisciplinary and cross-organisational cooperation and networking in menopause competence by establishing a healthcare professional network in the Pirkanmaa region and disseminating materials produced within the VAITO project.

Menopause affects a significant proportion of women during their working years, with symptoms that can persist for up to a decade. Common symptoms—such as sleep disturbances, hot flushes, mood swings, and joint pain—can have a substantial impact on quality of life and work ability. The menopausal transition also increases the risk of conditions such as osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease.
In Finland, menopause care and counselling have historically been limited, with services concentrated mainly in the private sector, particularly through gynaecologists. Within primary and occupational healthcare, knowledge and guidance vary considerably, and the absence of a standardised care pathway has sometimes led to inadequate or inappropriate treatment. Uneven quality and accessibility of services exacerbate socioeconomic inequalities, as not all women have access to private care. This gap affects individual wellbeing and places additional strain on the healthcare system.
There is a clear and urgent need for accessible, high-quality menopause counselling and treatment. Timely, evidence-based care supports women’s wellbeing, sustains their ability to work, reduces absenteeism, and helps prevent premature disability—delivering significant social and economic benefits. Addressing current gaps in healthcare professionals’ knowledge is essential to promoting gender equality, improving public health, and extending healthy working lives.

The VAITO project enhances the knowledge and skills of primary and occupational healthcare professionals on menopause, including the recognition of symptoms, appropriate treatment, and the broader impact of menopause on women’s lives. This is achieved through training events covering topics related to identifying and managing menopause.
In collaboration with the Pirkanmaa wellbeing services county and occupational healthcare providers in the region, the project will develop the VAITO Model—a menopause competence operating model designed for both network-based and digital implementation. The model will include: A structured training programme for healthcare professionals involved in the care and guidance of women experiencing menopause. And a clear operational framework describing how comprehensive menopause care should be organized.
An open-access Menopause Information Portal will also be produced and made publicly available via the Korento ry website. This public and non-profit resource will provide reliable information and materials on menopause, symptom recognition, treatment and guidance options, as well as the complete VAITO Model, accessible to all stakeholders.
The project will promote multidisciplinary collaboration and networking by establishing a professional network for healthcare providers in the Pirkanmaa region and by widely disseminating materials developed through the VAITO project.

The project’s actions will strengthen healthcare’s ability to provide menopause counselling and treatment in a timely, expert, and high-quality manner. The developed VAITO operating model and training materials will be widely adopted among both professionals and students, ensuring that menopause care becomes an integrated part of everyday practice in primary and occupational healthcare.
This will support the early recognition of menopause symptoms, encourage earlier access to care, improve women’s quality of life, and reduce the need for specialised medical services. Healthcare professionals’ expertise and sense of control in their work will also increase, enhancing their wellbeing at work, resilience, and productivity.
Once the operating model is established, it will raise awareness of menopause, reduce stigma, and normalise menopause counselling as a standard component of healthcare services. At the same time, it will help maintain women’s work ability and, in the long term, reduce societal costs.

ESR+ Euroopan sosiaalirahasto 2021-2027

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