Professional views on patient education in osteoporosis

The aim of this study was to investigate patient education in osteoporosis, with a consensus-building Delphi survey. The results showed that the purposes of osteoporosis schools are to reduce the risk of falling, facilitate empowerment, increase levels of function and activity and teach participants to master or reduce pain.

According to the World Health Organization, osteoporosis is a major health problem. The morbidity is caused by fractures associated with pain and decreased physical function, social function and well-being. The aim of this study was to investigate and reach consensus about how so-called osteoporosis schools are run by professionals in Sweden with a focus on intervention and evaluation.

The study design was a consensus-building, three-round Delphi survey. Questionnaires were sent by web and post to an expert panel comprising 15 nurses, occupational therapists and physiotherapists. In round 1, they were asked to write descriptions within the frame of eight domains related to intervention and evaluation. In the second and third rounds, the Delphi panel was asked to mark on a Likert scale the importance of 40 statements within these domains.

The answers showed that the purposes of osteoporosis schools are to reduce the risk of falling, facilitate empowerment, increase levels of function and activity and teach participants to master or reduce pain. The schools comprise theoretical elements as well as practical exercises. Patients with fractures related to osteoporosis are offered participation. There is a lack of a theoretical basis, as well as of evidence, for present treatment models. Evaluation ought to be done systematically, and for this purpose, different questionnaires are used. Experts assert that evaluations show that patients gain increased activity levels, function, knowledge about osteoporosis, empowerment and pain reduction.

Consensus was reached in 29 of 40 items.