Improving patient experiences vertebral fractures V1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Understanding and improving patient experiences of diagnosis for vertebral fracture: a qualitative study
IRAS ID
287802
Contact name
Sarah Drew
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
The University of Bristol
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 30 days
Research summary
Background
Osteoporosis is a common disease in the over 50s that causes bones to become thinner and break (fracture). The most common osteoporotic fracture is a vertebral fracture (OVF). People with OVFs are at high risk of breaking other bones such as their hips. NHS guidelines recommend prescribing bone protection therapies to people who have experienced a fracture, to reduce the risk of further fractures by 30-50%. However, over two-thirds of people with OVFs remain undiagnosed. Understanding reasons for this will to help identify OVFs more effectively in the future.
Aims and objectives
1. To understand GPs and patients’ experiences and views of diagnosis for OVFs to identify factors that help of hinder diagnosis
2. Use information to develop a series of recommendations to improve the identification of people with OVFs
3. Co-produce an educational resource for patients and/ or healthcare professionals to improve identification of people with OVFs
Methods
We will:
1. Conduct in-depth interviews with 20 - 26 patients aged over 50 who have been diagnosed with an OVF and 20 – 26 GPs, to gain an understanding of their experiences and views of diagnosis. Findings will be used to develop a list of factors that help or hinder diagnosis.
2. Present factors that help or hinder diagnosis to a group of 20 people including patients, their partners and/ or carers, healthcare professionals and charity representatives. Based on findings, this group will develop recommendations to improve the identification of people with OVFs
3. Hold two workshops with 10 people including patients, carers, healthcare professionals and charity representatives. The first workshop will use study findings to co-produce an educational resource. The second workshop will refine resources and decide the best ways of sharing this information.
Dissemination
We will produce an educational resource for patients and/ or healthcare professionals and share this in several different ways, including through a UK-wide charity.
Summary of Results
The study provides new findings about patient journeys to treatment. Resources are being shared with a range of
groups so that identification of vertebral fractures can be improved.REC name
West Midlands - Black Country Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/WM/0162
Date of REC Opinion
21 Jul 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion