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Archives of Osteoporosis
Published in: Archives of Osteoporosis 1/2016

Open Access 01-12-2016 | Review

A qualitative systematic review of patients’ experience of osteoporosis using meta-ethnography

Authors: K. L. Barker, F. Toye, C. J. Minns Lowe

Published in: Archives of Osteoporosis | Issue 1/2016

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Abstract

Summary

We aimed to systematically review qualitative studies exploring the experience of living with osteoporosis to develop new conceptual understanding. We identified themes about the invisibility/visibility of osteoporosis, the experience of uncertainty of living with osteoporosis (OP) and living with an ageing body and the place of gender.

Purpose

The aim of this review was to systematically review the body of qualitative studies exploring the experience of living with either osteoporosis or osteopenia and to use meta-ethnography to develop new conceptual understanding.

Methods

We systematically reviewed and integrated the findings of qualitative research from four bibliographic databases (Medline, Embase, Cinahl, Psychinfo) to September 2015 in order to increase our conceptual understanding of the lived experience of osteoporosis and osteopenia. Articles were appraised for quality; each was independently read by two researchers to identify concepts which were compared and developed into a conceptual model.

Results

Our findings demonstrate that coming to terms with a diagnosis of osteoporosis is linked to its relative visibility or invisibility. For some, OP has not become manifest and self-identity is intact (biographical integrity). For others, OP is profoundly manifest and self-identity is no long intact (biographical fracture). We also demonstrate that overwhelming uncertainty pervades the experience of OP. Our final theme demonstrates how the experience of OP is set within a cultural context with certain views about ageing and gender.

Conclusions

Our synthesis has highlighted the wealth of qualitative data about osteoporosis and osteopenia. Despite the increasing body of literature on the subject, there remains a need to adjust our interactions with patients. This will allow clinicians to understand how patients can be helped to receive and understand their diagnosis and move forward in partnership with healthcare providers to promote optimal management of the disease.
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Metadata
Title
A qualitative systematic review of patients’ experience of osteoporosis using meta-ethnography
Authors
K. L. Barker
F. Toye
C. J. Minns Lowe
Publication date
01-12-2016
Publisher
Springer London
Published in
Archives of Osteoporosis / Issue 1/2016
Print ISSN: 1862-3522
Electronic ISSN: 1862-3514
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11657-016-0286-z

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