IMPROVING COMMUNICATION OF FRACTURE RISK GLOBALLY: INSIGHTS FROM INTERVIEWS WITH PATIENTS. THE RISKCOMMUNICATION STUDY OR RICO STUDY

Beaudart, C.; Silverman, S.; Paskins, Z.; Boonen, A.; Kaux, J.-F.; Fujiwara, S.; Hiligsmann, M.

Abstract

Objective: Lack of or low quality communication between patient and healthcare provider may partially explain poor initiation and adherence to anti-osteoporosis treatment. In this study, we aimed to gain insights into patients’ understanding and preferences for various approaches for communication of fracture risk, derived from a risk algorithm, with the goal of improving osteoporosis treatment
and management.

Methods: Individual physical or online interviews with patients at risk for fractures were organized in 4 diferent countries (Belgium, The Netherlands, Unites States and Japan). A semi-structured workbook developed following a scoping literature review and experts insight was used to conduct interviews. Using an example of a personal risk of 21% for any fracture in the next 10 y, four main fracture risk presentations were used to guide these interviews: verbal/written presentation of the percentage fracture risk, various types of coloured graphs, icon arrays, and icon arrays with or without treatment efect on fracture risk. Patients were asked to critically refect on the diferent framing
presentations for fracture risk, to suggest alternatives for improvement and to rank their preference.

Results: A total of 26 women (mean age of 70.5 y) at risk for fractures participated in the study. Thirteen (50%) had an history of fracture, 18 (69.2%) were on antiosteoporosis medication and 4 (15.4)%, 11 (42.3%), 5 (19.2%) considered themselves at low, moderate and high risk of fracture respectively. Most patients (76.9%) preferred coloured graphs over other presentations. Icon arrays of baseline fracture risk were never a preferred method of risk communication. Most patients also reported that presenting the risk of fracture with and without treatment would be more convincing to initiate a treatment. Participants also suggested that fracture risk communication should be supported with additional data, such as the consequences of fractures. Most patients would value the development of a visual tool to better understand fracture risk.

Conclusion: Insights from these interviews suggest the importance of a patient-centered approach to fracture risk communication. A larger global survey is currently being developed to provide additional insights into patients’ understanding and preferences for fracture risk communication and assess potential cultural and geographical diferences in the optimal way to communicate fracture risk.

Citation

Beaudart, C., Silverman, S., Paskins, Z., Boonen, A., Kaux, J., Fujiwara, S., & Hiligsmann, M. (2020, April). IMPROVING COMMUNICATION OF FRACTURE RISK GLOBALLY: INSIGHTS FROM INTERVIEWS WITH PATIENTS. THE RISKCOMMUNICATION STUDY OR RICO STUDY. Poster presented at World congress on osteoporosis, osteoarthritis and musculoskeletal diseases (WCO-IOF-ESCEO 2021)

• Presentation Conference Type: Poster
• Conference Name: World congress on osteoporosis, osteoarthritis and musculoskeletal diseases (WCO-IOF-ESCEO 2021)
• Deposit Date: Jun 23, 2023