title: Bone quality: educational tools for patients, physicians, and educators.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Defining bone quality remains elusive. From a patient perspective bone quality can best be defined as an individual's likelihood of sustaining a fracture. Fracture risk indicators and performance measures can help clinicians better understand individual fracture risk. Educational resources such as the Web can help clinicians and patients better understand fracture risk, communicate effectively, and make decisions concerning diagnosis and treatment.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We examined four questions: What tools can be used to identify individuals at high risk for fracture? What clinical performance measures are available? What strategies can help ensure that patients at risk for fracture are identified? What are some authoritative Web sites for educating providers and patients about bone quality?
  
  
  METHODS
  Using Google, PUBMED, and trademark names, we reviewed the literature using the terms "bone quality" and "osteoporosis education." Web site legitimacy was evaluated using specific criteria. Educational Web sites were limited to English-language sites sponsored by nonprofit organizations
  
  
  RESULTS
  The Fracture Risk Assessment Tool® (FRAX®) and the Fracture Risk Calculator (FRC) are reliable means of assessing fracture risk. Performance measures relating to bone health were developed by the AMA convened Physician Consortium for Performance Improvement® and are included in the Physician Quality Reporting Initiative. In addition, quality measures have been developed by the Joint Commission. Strategies for identifying individuals at risk include designating responsibility for case finding and intervention, evaluating secondary causes of osteoporosis, educating patients and providers, performing cost-effectiveness evaluation, and using information technology. An abundance of authoritative educational Web sites exists for providers and patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Effective clinical indicators, performance measures, and educational tools to better understand and identify fracture risk are now available. The next challenge is to encourage broader use of these resources so that individuals at high risk for fracture will not just be identified but will also adhere to therapy.
authors.affiliation: George Washington University School of Medicine, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC 20010, USA.
authors.forename: Junaid
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shams
authors.forename: Allison B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Spitzer
authors.forename: Ann M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Kennelly
authors.forename: Laura L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Tosi
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000453:epidemiology*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D010024:Osteoporosis; D058866:Osteoporotic Fractures / Q000453:epidemiology; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires