Shared Appointments: The Future of Women's Healthcare in Minnesota

Years ago, Diane Feller, CNM, NCMP, care provider at The Menopause Center of Minnesota, blazed a trail in the area’s prenatal care with a type of medical appointment that allowed pregnant women to interact with each other in addition to their midwives. Building on this concept with her practice at the Menopause Center, Diane and her fellow providers were the first to bring shared menopause medical appointments to the Twin Cities.

Shared appointments combine the individualized care of a one-on-one, traditional medical appointment with the social interaction, education and shared experience of a group discussion. At the Menopause Center, shared appointments take place in 90 minute blocks and typically involve 6-8 women. Every participant is given the opportunity to meet with her provider in private, and then the rest of the time the women are able to talk together, engage in a Q&A with the provider, learn from each other and find support.

This is especially important in menopause care, since menopause still carries an unfair stigma. Many women going through this change of life are ashamed or feel alone in the experience. But shared appointments strip away embarrassment and loneliness by showing women there are others in the area who are feeling many of the same things, physically and emotionally.

In an interview about bringing shared appointments to menopause care in Minnesota, Diane Feller explained why this type of menopause care is so exciting.

Q: How did the providers at the Menopause Center know shared medical appointments were a good fit for menopausal women?
DF: In the 12 years since the Menopause Center of Minnesota opened its doors, we’ve seen countless women in perimenopause and menopause who felt as if nobody understood what they were going through. We knew shared appointments would help dispel that myth.

Q: Why do you think menopausal women benefit particularly well from the group aspect of shared appointments?
DF: Menopause often comes with a frustrating loneliness. Sometimes it’s because partners, families or friends aren’t sympathetic to the symptoms of menopause, which can deeply affect a woman’s life. Sometimes it’s because the emotional roller coaster that accompanies menopause has made them feel down. And sometimes it’s simply because they don’t realize there are many other women all around them who are going through a very similar experience.

Q: What prompted you to bring shared appointments to the mix at the Menopause Center now?
DF: I knew from my years of prenatal and OB/GYN practice that women in times of transition benefit greatly from peer support. Shared medical appointments are beginning to trend in other areas of medicine, as well. So we decided to start offering shared medical appointments at The Menopause Center with the hope that our patients will not only continue to get the best individual care, but also have the option of forming a support network with other menopausal women.

Q: You’ve conducted some shared appointments at the Menopause Center already. What do you think has been the biggest take away for participating women?
DF: Shared appointments are not only informative, but fun! There’s no rule saying menopause has to be serious business – if you can find humor in what you’re going through, you’ll have an easier time. We believe menopause is something that can be embraced, and shared appointments show women there’s much more to menopause than hot flashes and night sweats. They develop a sense of camaraderie with their peers, and that alone has a positive impact on how they perceive menopause.

The Menopause Center of Minnesota is now booking their next shared appointment on December 17th. Women interested in participating in this innovative and exciting option for menopause care are encouraged to call the Menopause Center at ​651-698-0891 to make an appointment, or visit MenopauseMN.com for more information.