Grant: Operating Grant - PA: Musculoskeletal Health, Arthritis, Skin and Oral Health

Individuals 65 years and older who fracture a bone after falling from standing height or less are very likely to have another fracture and need to have a bone density test to determine if they have low bone mass. With few exceptions, if these individuals have low bone mass, they should be prescribed an osteoporosis (OP) medication. This treatment significantly reduces the risk of another fracture. Despite the strong evidence that treatment works, fracture patients often do not get a bone density test or any treatment for osteoporosis. Interventions to improve testing and treatment have not been very successful, possibly because they do not take into account the intentions and actions of patients regarding testing and treatment. In this study, we will interview fracture patients 65+ years old from 3 fracture clinics (1 urban and 2 rural) to ask them about their intentions and actions to follow-up with OP testing and treatment and their reasons for following up, or not following up. Our research will inform the development of interventions that are tailored to different types of fracture patients (e.g. those who do not intend to seek OP testing and treatment, or those who intend to seek treatment but are unable to) and delivered at the time that patients most need them (e.g. right after the fracture vs. right after the bone density test). It is important for us to get fracture patients investigated and treated for OP because appropriate treatment will prevent patients from having future fractures; this will alleviate Canadian health care costs due to fracture such as admission to hospitals, extended care facilities, and nursing homes.