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Archives of Osteoporosis
Published in: Archives of Osteoporosis 1/2019

Open Access 01-12-2019 | Care | Original Article

Primary care physicians’ views on osteoporosis management: a qualitative study

Authors: Helena Salminen, P. Piispanen, E. Toth-Pal

Published in: Archives of Osteoporosis | Issue 1/2019

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Abstract

Summary

Osteoporosis is an under-diagnosed condition; only around 14% of patients in Sweden receive bone-specific treatment after a fragility fracture. This qualitative interview study found that primary care physicians perceive osteoporosis as a silent disease that is overshadowed by other conditions and is complicated to manage.

Purpose

To explore primary care physicians’ views on managing osteoporosis.

Methods

A total of 17 primary care physicians in Stockholm participated in four focus group interviews. Interview transcripts were analysed with thematic analysis.

Results

One main theme was found: Osteoporosis—a silent disease overshadowed by other conditions. The main theme contained five sub-themes. Physicians perceived osteoporosis as a low-priority issue. They described uncertainty about managing it and insufficient awareness of the condition in primary healthcare (PHC). Physicians had differing opinions about who is responsible for managing osteoporosis. They reported that the health care system regulated their work such that they gave low priority to the condition. They were uncertain about the value of the Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX). The physicians thought that financial incentives, education, and increased collaboration with other relevant health care professionals and with patients were needed to increase the priority of osteoporosis in PHC.

Conclusion

Physicians perceived osteoporosis as a silent disease that is complicated to manage. They gave low priority to osteoporosis and thought their patients shared this view. The physicians saw other issues and medical conditions as more important than osteoporosis. They wanted better collaboration at their PHC centres and with hospitals. They also wanted district nurses to be more involved in managing osteoporosis and especially in assessing fracture risk.
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Metadata
Title
Primary care physicians’ views on osteoporosis management: a qualitative study
Authors
Helena Salminen
P. Piispanen
E. Toth-Pal
Publication date
01-12-2019
Publisher
Springer London
Published in
Archives of Osteoporosis / Issue 1/2019
Print ISSN: 1862-3522
Electronic ISSN: 1862-3514
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11657-019-0599-9

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