title: Analysis of needs of patients with idiopathic osteonecrosis of the femoral head: using focus group interviews.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The current needs of patients with idiopathic osteonecrosis of the femoral head were analyzed for the purpose of seeking effective support programs that would maintain and improve the quality of life of the patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  A focus group interview method was used to collect data. Interviewees included eight patients. They were asked about their opinions and needs with respect to medicine, health care, and welfare.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, four needs were revealed as particularly significant: information needs, decision-making in the absence of pre-established treatment, psychological support, and sufficient medical healthcare institutions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These four needs are useful for the foundation of future support systems, whose main concerns will be: counseling support for patients with idiopathic osteonecrosis of the femoral head, currently adopted institutions, and resources that may be required in the future.
authors.affiliation: Department of Healthcare Systems Research, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University Department of Joint Replacement and Tissue Engineering, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Eniwa Hospital, Eniwa Kutchan Kosei Hospital, Kutchan, Hokkaido, Japan.
authors.forename: Minako
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Habara
authors.forename: Hidenobu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kawabata
authors.forename: Rikaru
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sekine
authors.forename: Masaji
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maezawa
authors.forename: Tokifumi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Majima
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005270:Femur Head / Q000473:pathology*; D017144:Focus Groups; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010020:Osteonecrosis / Q000628:therapy*
keywords: idiopathic osteonecrosis of the femoral head; needs; quality of life