Table 3.

Factors that influence fragility fracture patients’ perceptions of risk.

	Factors resulting in a perceptions of increased risk	Factors resulting in no increased perception of risk	Factors resulting in uncertainty about risk
Belief they have a diagnosis of osteoporosis	Patient has been told they have osteoporosis – “. . .they have told me that I have osteoporosis and that I have really bad bones and must be careful.”	Communication with physician has led patient to believe they are not at risk – “. . .doctor says my bones are very good and the break should never have happened.”	Osteoporosis diagnosis or fracture risk may not have been communicated to the patient – “. . . not sure. . .doctor has put me on Actonel” and “. . .my daughter who is a nurse tells me that I am at risk but I am not sure”.
Perceptions of own bone health	Patient believes their bones are weak or has been told that their bones are weak/brittle – “. . .doctors are always checking my bones and they say they are brittle.” Patient had additional fractures – “. . . because I just fractured a rib from coughing too much.”	Bone density results not indicative of risk – “. . .very healthy 75-year-old. . . doctor says my bone density test is excellent. I do not believe my bones are brittle.” Patient believes they have good bones – “I have been told my bones are very strong and I do drink a lot of milk.”	Patient is uncertain about bone health – “. . .have never been told there is a problem with my bones so I really do not know”.
Carefulness: belief that they can modify their own fracture risk	Patient feels they will have another fracture if they are not careful – “If I am not careful, I am sure I will break other bones.”	Patient feels they are more careful – “Much more careful about getting around and always use my walker.” Patient attributes behaviour with risk – “I am in good shape and look after myself.”	Patient feels they will need to be more careful – “. . .do not know, but I will be a little more careful”. Patient attributes behaviour with risk – “. . .not in my plans, not really sure. . .keep active”.
Beliefs or awareness about cause and effect	Patient knows they have risk factors – “. . .because I am an old lady” and “. . .at 86 you are not too active and I am nervous of slipping again. I also have osteoporosis” and “. . . was told that my bones are thin and I am also on prednisone”.	Patient attributes fracture to event – “It was a fluke accident.” Patient feels it was the first time they have fracture – “This was the first break I have ever had.”	Patient feels it was the first time they have fracture – “This was my first break so I really do not know.”