Provider Behavior and Osteoporosis Management

Abstract

Background: Osteoporosis is a debilitating, costly and often silent disease that can be prevented if providers implement proper screening tools. Despite the availability of various screening modalities, osteoporosis is oftentimes not diagnosed until a fracture has occurred. Purpose: The aim of this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Quality Improvement (QI) project was to compare the effects of the chosen intervention on provider knowledge of osteoporosis and DEXA scans immediately after completion of the intervention, compared to no educational intervention, and to assess the effects on provider behavior towards managing osteoporosis and ordering DEXA scans. The overall goal was to increase provider knowledge of osteoporosis management and to increase their awareness of patient population groups who are at risk. Methods: Using the Health Belief Model in an independent primary care outpatient clinic setting in Glendale, Arizona, the Osteoporosis Knowledge Assessment Tool (OKAT) was administered to 8 providers in a pre- and post-test format, with the intervention of an educational luncheon seminar taking place in-between administration of the pre- and post-test. Additional questions were included in the post-test, which were deemed reliable and valid by an expert panel. Results: SPSS 24-statistical software was used. All questions had an increase in correct responses from pre- to post-test. Results from the first 12 questions showed an increase in knowledge on the post-test, which was statistically significant. P=0.0082, r=0.878, and 95% CI (0.4213 to 2.245). The other topics addressed were not deemed statistically significant. Implications: This project demonstrated an increase in provider knowledge about osteoporosis screening. Further research is needed to determine if this educational intervention results in provider behavior changes, such as increasing their screening of patients at risk for osteoporosis.