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Archives of Osteoporosis

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01-12-2012 | Original Article

General medical practitioners' knowledge and beliefs about osteoporosis and its investigation and management

Authors: Renée Otmar, Susanne D. Reventlow, Geoffrey C. Nicholson, Mark A. Kotowicz, Julie A. Pasco

Published in: Archives of Osteoporosis | Issue 1-2/2012

Abstract

Summary

This qualitative study explored beliefs and attitudes regarding osteoporosis and its management. General medical practitioners (GPs) were ambivalent about osteoporosis due to concern about financial barriers for patients and their own beliefs about the salience of osteoporosis. GPs considered investigation and treatment in the context of patients' whole lives.

Purpose

We aimed to investigate barriers, enablers, and other factors influencing the investigation and management of osteoporosis using a qualitative approach. This paper analyses data from discussions with general medical practitioners (GPs) about their beliefs and attitudes regarding osteoporosis and its management.

Methods

Fourteen GPs and two practice nurses aged 27–89 years participated in four focus groups, from June 2010 to March 2011. Each group comprised 3–5 participants, and discussions were semi-structured, according to the protocol developed for the main study. Discussion points ranged from the circumstances under which GPs would initiate investigation for osteoporosis and their subsequent actions to their views about treatment efficacy and patient adherence to prescribed treatment. Audio recordings were transcribed and coded for analysis using analytic comparison to identify the major themes.

Results

The GPs were not particularly concerned about osteoporosis in their patients or the general population, ranking diabetes, osteoarthritis, cardiovascular disease, and hypertension higher than concern about osteoporosis. They expressed confidence in the efficacy of anti-fracture medications but were concerned about the potential financial burden on patients with limited incomes. The GPs were unsure about guidelines for investigation and management of osteoporosis in men and the appropriate duration of treatment, particularly for the bisphosphonates in all patients.

Conclusions

The GPs' ambivalence about osteoporosis appeared to stem from structural factors such as financial barriers for patients and their own beliefs about the salience of osteoporosis. GPs considered the impact of investigating and prescribing treatment in the context of patients' whole lives.

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Title: General medical practitioners' knowledge and beliefs about osteoporosis and its investigation and management
Authors: Renée Otmar
Susanne D. Reventlow
Geoffrey C. Nicholson
Mark A. Kotowicz
Julie A. Pasco
Publication date: 01-12-2012
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Archives of Osteoporosis / Issue 1-2/2012
Print ISSN: 1862-3522
Electronic ISSN: 1862-3514
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11657-012-0088-x

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

General medical practitioners' knowledge and beliefs about osteoporosis and its investigation and management

Abstract

Summary

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Summary

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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