Systematic scoping review of patients ’ perceived needs of health services for osteoporosis

AbstractHealth service planners, administrators and providers need to understand the patients ’ perspective of health services related to osteoporosis to optimise health outcomes. The aims of this study were to systematically identify and review the literature regarding patients’ perceived health service needs relating to osteoporosis and osteopenia. A systematic scoping review was perfo rmed of publications in MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and PsycINFO (1990–2016). Descriptive data regarding study design and methodology were extracted and risk of bias assessed. Aggregates of patients’ perceived needs of osteoporosis health services were categorised. Thirty-three studies (19 quantitat ive and 14 qualitative) from 1027 were relevant. The following areas of perceived need emerged: (1) patients sought healthcare from doctors to obtain information and initiate management. They were dissatisfied with poor communication, lack of time and poor continuity of care. (2) Patients perceived a role for osteoporosis pharmacotherapy but were concerned about medication administration and adverse effects. (3) Patients believed that exercise and vitamin supplementation were important, but there is a lack of data examining the needs for other non-pharmacological measures such as smoking cessa tion and alcohol. (4) Patients wanted diagnostic evaluation and ongoing surveillance of their bone health. This review identified patients’ needs for better communication with their healthcare provider...

Source: Osteoporosis International - October 11, 2017 Category: Orthopaedics Source Type: research