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Primary care physicians' views on osteoporosis management: a qualitative study
Helena Salminen1,2, P Piispanen3, E Toth-Pal4,3
1Division of Family Medicine and Primary Care, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. helena.salminen@ki.se.
Archives of Osteoporosis
|April 28, 2019
Summary
Primary care physicians view osteoporosis as a silent, low-priority disease overshadowed by other conditions. They desire better education, collaboration, and system support for managing osteoporosis effectively in primary healthcare.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Primary Care Medicine
- Bone Health
Background:
- Osteoporosis is frequently under-diagnosed, with low rates of bone-specific treatment post-fracture.
- Primary care physicians (PCPs) play a crucial role in osteoporosis management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate PCPs' perspectives on the challenges and facilitators of managing osteoporosis in primary healthcare.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative study involving 17 PCPs in Stockholm.
- Thematic analysis of four focus group interviews.
Main Results:
- PCPs perceive osteoporosis as a silent, low-priority condition, often overshadowed by other health issues.
- Uncertainty regarding management protocols, insufficient awareness, and system-level constraints were identified.
- PCPs expressed a need for improved education, financial incentives, and enhanced collaboration with other healthcare professionals and patients.
Conclusions:
- Osteoporosis management in primary healthcare is hindered by its 'silent disease' perception and competing health priorities.
- Enhanced collaboration, increased awareness, and targeted education are essential to elevate the priority of osteoporosis care.
- Greater involvement of district nurses in fracture risk assessment and osteoporosis management is recommended.