title: Patient education--the forgotten link in managing osteoporosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Osteoporosis and bone fractures are common, yet osteoporosis is under diagnosed in Australian settings. Osteoporosis can now be reliably diagnosed, and safely and effectively treated, but patient education strategies are under utilised.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This article discusses the role of education in osteoporosis risk reduction and management.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Osteoporosis education initiatives such as the Osteoporosis Prevention and Self Management Course can increase knowledge, self efficacy and health related behaviours such as calcium intake and exercise over the short to medium term.
authors.affiliation: University of Adelaide, Department of Medicine, Modbury Public Hospital, South Australia. laura.laslett@adelaide.edu.au
authors.forename: Laura L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Laslett
authors.forename: Julian D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: McNeil
authors.forename: Joan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lynch
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic