Assessment of Learning Needs of Registered Nurses for Osteoporosis Education

Abstract

To answer the questions: How important is osteoporosis education? What are the topics that must be included in osteoporosis education? Nonexperimental descriptive. 225 questionnaires were distributed to Registered Nurses in acute, ambulatory, and long-term care; 139 (62%) responded. Nurse experts in osteoporosis developed and refined a needs assessment questionnaire that was distributed by mail. The 5-page questionnaire included demographic items. Other items inquired about the respondent's perceived need for osteoporosis education for patients and nurses, and the respondent's knowledge of and need for education in 27 specific topics. Respondents expressed strong interest in and need for an educational program on osteoporosis. They rated their (mean) knowledge of 22 of 27 specific topics as between "limited" and "adequate." Subjects delineated important core content to be included in the educational program. These subjects included risk factors, prevention, assessment, calcium intake, nutrition, menopause, pharmacotherapeutics, and fall prevention. Subjects found their own knowledge of certain topics in osteoporosis as less than adequate. Subjects documented the need for osteoporosis education for patients and nurses. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING EDUCATION: There is a need for continuing education offerings to inform nurses and patients about osteoporosis prevention, detection, and management.