A sample of Canadian orthopedic surgeons expressed willingness to participate in osteoporosis management for fragility fracture patients.
OBJECTIVE
The orthopedic community is in a unique position to initiate and provide osteoporosis care in fragility fracture patients to prevent future hip fractures in a high-risk population. The attitudes and intentions of Canadian orthopedic surgeons in the domain of osteoporosis care are unknown. Our objective was to identify current attitudes and osteoporosis management practices and to determine their overall willingness to participate in osteoporosis care for fragility fracture patients.


METHODS
A real-time interactive polling session was conducted at the 58th Annual Meeting of the Canadian Orthopaedic Association.


RESULTS
Of the orthopedic surgeons who responded, 90.4% agreed that the current emphasis on osteoporosis in orthopedic practice is appropriate; 85.2% of surgeons indicated that they currently refer or personally investigate for osteoporosis, or both, in fragility fracture patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Most of the Canadian orthopedic surgeons sampled consider themselves to be currently engaged or ready to engage in osteoporosis care for fragility fracture patients. Focus should now shift from education and persuasion to program support through provision of resources and system modification that will enable Canadian orthopedic surgeons to effectively manage osteoporosis in their fracture patients.
Bogoch
Earl R
ER
Department of Surgery, Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, Martin Family Centre for Arthritis Care and Research, St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. bogoche@smh.toronto.on.ca
Snowden
Elizabeth
E
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002136:Calcium, Dietary / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002170:Canada; D003226:Congresses as Topic; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009985:Orthopedics; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000627:therapeutic use
D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D002136:Calcium, Dietary; D004164:Diphosphonates; D014807:Vitamin D