Impact of community pharmacy-based osteoporosis education program on diagnosis and risk assesment for development of fractures: A model study

Abstract

The aim of this study is to develop a model for community pharmacy-based osteoporosis education program for patients and to determine the patient satisfaction. It was designed as a prospective study. Three community pharmacists, a private outpatient policlinics, a private diagnosis laboratory participated in this study. 20 women aged 50 years or older without previous diagnosis of osteoporosis or osteopenia who had at least one additional risk factor for osteoporosis and had not been screened in the last three years were enrolled as subjects. Patients were referred from the policlinics to a community pharmacy. Osteoporosis screening was carried out by the laboratory. Education regarding the disease prevention and treatment was provided by pharmacists. 12 patients were at moderate risk and 3 were at high risk. Of 15 patients recommended for screening, 9 completed the scan. All 9 were diagnosed with either osteoporosis (6) or osteopenia (3). Counseling regarding risk factors, screening results, smoking cessation, exercise, and alcohol intake was perceived by patients as valuable or highly valuable on Likert scale. Of 20 patients enrolled, 17 said they would recommend this service to others. In conclusion, community pharmacy-based osteoporosis education is effective in detecting undiagnosed disease and is perceived by patients as highly useful.