A multidisciplinary osteoporosis service-based action research study

Abstract

Objective To investigate an existing Trust-based osteoporosis service's preventative activity, determine any issues and problems and use this data to reorganise the service, as part of a National Health Service Executive/Regional Office-commissioned and funded study. Setting A UK Hospital Trust's Osteoporosis Service. Design & Method A Participatory Action Research (PAR) methodology was adopted, using PAR group sessions and reflective journals to collect and analyse qualitative data. Results The service was investigated and found to be lacking in preventative osteoporosis-related activity. Subsequently, the research participants identified and implemented a range of preventative activities. Conclusion Osteoporosis is a preventable disease that is known to place both a huge economic and social burden on societies worldwide. Despite this, evidence suggests that preventative osteoporosis activity is afforded a low priority within health services. This was the case with the osteoporosis service at the beginning of this study, but demonstrates how a service can be reorientated to accommodate a programme of preventative activity.