@article{ref1,
title="Patients reject the concept of fragility fracture-a new understanding based on fracture patients' communication",
journal="Osteoporosis international",
year="2012",
author="Sale, J. E. M. and Gignac, M. A. and Frankel, L. and Hawker, G. and Beaton, D. and Elliot-Gibson, V. and Bogoch, E.",
volume="23",
number="12",
pages="2829-2834",
abstract="We examined patients' communication about fragility fractures to gain insight into why patients do not connect fractures to bone health. The term &quot;fragility&quot; fracture was a misnomer to patients who perceived the event as physically and emotionally traumatic. Improved communication about such fractures could facilitate awareness of bone health. INTRODUCTION: We examined patients' communication about fragility fractures to gain insight into why patients do not perceive the connection between their fracture and low bone mass. METHODS: A descriptive phenomenological (qualitative) study was conducted. During face-to-face interviews, the participants described the experience of their fracture in detail and the circumstances surrounding the fracture. Data analysis was guided by Giorgi's methodology. English-speaking male and female patients aged 65+ years and &quot;high&quot; risk for future fracture were eligible and screened for osteoporosis through an established screening program at an urban teaching hospital. RESULTS: We recruited 30 participants (9 males, 21 females), aged 65-88, who presented with a hip (n = 11), wrist (n = 11), shoulder (n = 6), or other (n = 2) fracture. Ten of the 30 fractures occurred inside the home and the remaining fractures occurred outside the home. Sustaining a fragility fracture was perceived as a traumatic event, both physically and emotionally. In general, participants used forceful, action-oriented words and referred to hard surfaces to describe the experience. Explanations for the fracture, other than bone quality, were often reported, especially that falls were &quot;freak&quot; or &quot;fluke&quot; events. Patients who sustained a fracture under more mundane circumstances seemed more likely to perceive a connection between the fracture and their bone health. CONCLUSIONS: The term fragility fracture was a misnomer for many older adults. By reexamining how this term is communicated to fracture patients, health care providers may better facilitate patients' awareness of bone health.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0937-941X",
doi="10.1007/s00198-012-1914-0",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00198-012-1914-0"
}