GPs' perceptions of the role of DEXA scanning: an exploratory study.
BACKGROUND
Current recommendation are that women with clinical indicators of low bone mineral density should be offered a DEXA (dual energy X-ray absorptiometer) scan to help assess the need for treatment, but little is known about GPs' attitudes towards DEXA scans.


OBJECTIVE
Our aim was to explore GPs' beliefs about diagnosis and management of osteoporosis, including the role that DEXA scanning can play.


METHODS
Semi-structured interviews with five GPs in the North Staffordshire area were used to explore how GPs make decisions about diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis, including the use of scans and the application of potential clinical risk factors to decisions about screening and treatment.


RESULTS
The decision-making process about whether and who to scan is complex and was influenced by a range of factors including issues of diagnosis, treatment, patient pressure and 'external' factors such as practice protocol and the perceived local availability of scans.


CONCLUSIONS
GPs found it difficult to decide who and when to scan despite guidelines for primary care. Perceived local availability of DEXA scans is important and has implications for raising awareness.
Richardson
Jane C
JC
Primary Care Sciences Research Centre, Hornbeam Building, Keele University, Keele, Staffordshire ST5 5BG, UK. j.r.richardson@keele.ac.uk
Hassell
Andrew B
AB
Thomas
Elaine
E
Hay
Elaine M
EM
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D015519:Bone Density; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010821:Physicians, Family / Q000523:psychology*; D012307:Risk Factors