Publications (2)3.69 Total impact
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Article: Patient education in groups increases knowledge of osteoporosis and adherence to treatment: a two-year randomized controlled trial.
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ABSTRACT: Non-adherence to pharmacological treatment in osteoporosis is a well-recognized problem. We hypothesized that a group-based educational programme would increase patients' knowledge and level of adherence with medical treatment. A total of 300 patients (32 men aged 65 ± 9 years and 268 women aged 63 ± 8 years), recently diagnosed with osteoporosis, were randomised to either an osteoporosis school programme (four classes of 8-12 participants over four weeks) or a control group. Teaching was multidisciplinary, based on patients' experiences and background and designed to encourage empowerment. Patients' knowledge about osteoporosis and adherence to treatment was assessed with self-completed questionnaires at baseline and after 3, 12, and 24 months. There were no significant differences at baseline between the two groups with respect to knowledge score or level of adherence. At two years' follow-up, the improvement in knowledge score was 2 [0-4] points (median [25-75 percentiles]) in the school group and 0 [-2 to 2] in controls (p<0.001) and self-reported adherence to pharmacological therapy was significantly higher in the school group (92%) compared to the control group (80%), p<0.001. The programme increased knowledge about osteoporosis and increased self-reported adherence to pharmacological treatment over a period of two years.Patient Education and Counseling 11/2010; 81(2):155-60. · 2.31 Impact Factor -
Article: Multidisciplinary patient education in groups increases knowledge on osteoporosis: a randomized controlled trial.
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ABSTRACT: Specific pharmacological treatment reduces the incidence of fractures significantly in patients with osteoporosis. Unfortunately, compliance with such therapy is low in clinical practice and is inversely related to educational level. We hypothesized that patients' knowledge of osteoporosis may be increased by a group-based multidisciplinary education programme. Three hundred patients, aged 45-81 years, recently diagnosed with osteoporosis and started on specific treatment, were randomized to either the "school'' or "control'' group. Teaching was performed by nurses, physiotherapists, dieticians, and doctors, and designed to increase the patient's empowerment. The patient's knowledge of osteoporosis was tested at study entry and at 3 months using a validated questionnaire. At study entry, no differences in age or score (22 (18-24) (median (25-75 percentiles)) vs. 22 (18-24)) were seen between the school and control groups. The change in knowledge during the study, however, differed significantly between the two groups (p<0.001). In the school group, the increase in knowledge score correlated inversely with the level of education; that is, the lower the education level, the higher the gain in knowledge during the course (Rho=-0.25, p<0.01). A group-based multidisciplinary education programme significantly increases patients' knowledge of the disease.Scandinavian Journal of Public Health 07/2008; 36(4):346-52. · 1.39 Impact Factor
