Can Ambulance Paramedics use FRAX® (the WHO Fracture Risk Assessment Tool) to help GPs improve Future Fracture Risk in Patients that Fall?

doi:10.3310/nihropenres.1115161.1

Abstract

Highlights

We trained 25 paramedics who attended around 1500 patients after a fall
Paramedics and GPs support the idea of asking people the FRAX questions and sending letters to GPs but there were barriers to study recruitment
To avoid asking vulnerable patients to complete research forms we could instead use prescription data to find out if this meant that GPs recommended more treatment to patients

Summary

Conclusions

Paramedics and GPs see potential benefit in fracture risk assessment. Paramedics attend a group of patients at relatively high risk of fracture, of whom few are taking treatment. Recruitment was, challenging, and an alternative future approach could be to train paramedics to assess fracture risk routinely. Instead of asking patients to complete research forms, anonymous prescription and medical records data could be used to evaluate any impact on treatment in primary care, and on fracture rates

Methods

Expected impact

Patient and public involvement

Data sharing statement