Abstract
SummaryThis is the first national study of public and patient research priorities in osteoporosis and fracture. We have identified new research areas of importance to members of the public, particularly ‘access to information from health professionals’. The findings are being incorporated into the research strategy of the National Osteoporosis Society.PurposeThis study aimed to prioritise, with patients and public members, research topics for the osteoporosis research agenda.MethodsAn e-survey to identify topics for research was co-designed with patient representatives. A link to the e-survey was disseminated to supporters of the UK National Osteoporosis Society (NOS) in a monthly e-newsletter. Responders were asked to indicate their top priority for research across four topics (understanding and preventing osteoporosis, living with osteoporosis, treating osteoporosis and treating fractures) and their top three items within each topic. Descriptive statistics were used to describe demographics and item ranking. A latent class analysis was applied to identify a substantive number of clusters with different combinations of binary responses.ResultsOne thousand one hundred eighty-eight (7.4%) respondents completed the e-survey. The top three items overall were ‘Having easy access to advice and information from health professionals’ (63.8%), ‘Understanding further the safety and benefit of osteoporosis drug treatments’ (49.9%) and ‘Identifying the condition early by screening’ (49.2%). Latent class analysis revealed distinct clusters of responses within each topic including primary care management and self-management. Those without a history of prior fracture or aged under 70 were more likely to rate items within the cluster of self-management as important (21.0 vs 12.9 and 19.8 vs 13.3%, respectively).ConclusionThis is the first study of public research priorities in osteoporosis and has identified new research areas of importance to members of the public including access to information. The findings are being incorporated into the research strategy of the National Osteoporosis Society.
Highlights
Sixteen years ago, Tallon et al published a high profile call to bridge the gap between research agendas and consumer views in osteoarthritis [1]
The majority reported a diagnosis of osteoporosis (79%) and 39.6% reported a history of fracture
This study reports for the first time, topics of importance to public and patients in the research of osteoporosis and fracture
Summary
Tallon et al published a high profile call to bridge the gap between research agendas and consumer views in osteoarthritis [1]. Patients wanted more rigorous evaluation of the effects of surgery and physiotherapy and better assessment of the educational and coping strategies that might help patients to manage this chronic, disabling and often painful condition. They had little enthusiasm for drug trials, yet these 45 Page 2 of 8. A number of cultural assumptions have been identified which may underpin a reluctance to set priorities with patients. These include the belief that patients may shift focus away from basic science and a feeling that researchers are best placed to identify priorities [4]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
