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Fallon Clinic Physicians Publish Findings on Osteoporosis Treatment
Survey Results Reveal that Concerns about Medication Effectiveness and Distrust of Medications Are Key Factors to Initiating Osteoporosis Treatment
WORCESTER, Mass., November 2008 — Fallon Clinic, the largest multi-specialty medical group practice in Central Massachusetts, has recently released its research findings on factors that influence a patient’s decision to initiate osteoporosis treatment. The research was published in the November issue of The Journal of General Internal Medicine.
Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by low bone mass and deterioration of bone tissue that affects an estimated 10 million people in the United States, and is a major health threat to approximately 44 million Americans. One of the major contributors to the increased risk of fracture associated with the condition is that patients often go untreated. Previous reports by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) have shown that only 20 percent of women over 67 years old who suffer a fracture receive either bone density testing or take medication for osteoporosis. Furthermore, it has been found that even when therapy is initiated, the patients often do not continue medication long enough to receive any benefit. Fallon Clinic researchers undertook an investigation into the underlying causes of this phenomenon.
Fallon Clinic’s study identified its participants based on their recent diagnosis with osteoporosis. Patients that fit required qualifications were sent a questionnaire that asked them to respond to questions assessing physician-patient communication, trust in the physician, osteoporosis knowledge and beliefs, attitude about prescription medications, and perceptions of barriers to medication use.
After a detailed analysis of the 236 survey responses of the participants, the major findings of the study show:
- Only 57 percent of untreated respondents in the study with osteoporosis started an osteoporosis drug within 1 year even after being advised to do so by their physician.
- Patients who did choose to start treatment were much more likely to believe in the effectiveness of osteoporosis treatment and were less likely to express worry about medications.
“Our research indicates that doctors and patients must work together to find ways to improve care for osteoporosis,” said Dr. Robert Yood, the lead study investigator. “This not only validates our efforts to educate patients about osteoporosis, but it also points toward important areas for future study. Going forward we hope to learn more about effective ways to inform and motivate patients to get the most out of their care.”
About Fallon Clinic
Fallon Clinic, a non-profit organization, is the largest multi-specialty group practice in Central Massachusetts. Fallon Clinic physicians and healthcare professionals offer the region’s most comprehensive array of primary care and specialty services, supported with cutting-edge technologies and service-oriented processes. Founded in 1929 by a team of physicians from the Mayo Clinic led by Dr. John Fallon, Fallon Clinic continues to grow and thrive. Based in Worcester, Fallon Clinic has over 1,700 employees and nearly 260 physicians who see more than a million patient visits a year at more than 20 locations, including the Worcester Medical Center. Fallon Clinic accepts a broad range of insurance coverage, including plans from all major Massachusetts’ payers. More information about Fallon Clinic can be found by visiting www.fallonclinic.org.
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