Table 1.
Research Design Characteristics
| Author | Year | Country | Design | Recruitment setting | Primary objective | Interview type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beaton et al.a | 2012 | Canada | Observational | Clinical setting | “The objective of this study was to interview patients at risk for an additional [osteoporosis]-related fragility fracture and to understand their experiences of [osteoporosis] awareness, diagnosis, testing, and treatment within the context of a coordinator-based system in an orthopedic fracture clinic setting. We also sought to identify factors associated with the successful uptake of testing and treatment recommendations.” | Focus group (5)d |
| Edwards et al. | 2006 | USA | Mixed methods, prospective study, and focus groups | Community | “To explore women’s perceived barriers to seek medical care for osteoporosis following a MTF [minimal trauma fracture]” | Focus group (6) |
| Emmett et al. | 2012 | UK | Observational sub-study of Screening of Older Women for Prevention of Fracture (SCOOP) | Sub-study of RCT | “The qualitative study reported here explored the acceptability of the screening process from the perspective of women and GPs with the aim of informing future implementation.” | Semi-structured |
| Feldstein et al. a | 2008 | USA | Observational | Clinical setting | “The focus groups and interviews elicited barriers and facilitators to screening and treating osteoporosis, perceived utility of the outreach program, and overall advice on how to improve screening and treatment of osteoporosis. Our study’s immediate goal was to use the findings reported here to improve the outreach program in the future, with the long-term goal of improving osteoporosis care and fracture prevention.” | Semi-structured |
| Meadows and Mrkonjic | 2003 | Canada | Observational | Clinical setting | “This manuscript presents data from a pilot study that explored the questions, ‘What are women’s experiences of fractures at midlife?’ and ‘What connection is made between those fractures and bone health by women and their physicians?’” | In-depth |
| Meadows et al.b | 2004 | Canada | Observational | Clinical setting | “This descriptive and exploratory study is part of an on-going program of research focused on midlife women and bone health.” “In this article we highlight the perceptions of midlife women regarding their fracture experiences as it affects their own risk of future compromised bone health.” | Focus group (4) |
| Meadows et al.b | 2005 | Canada | Observational | Clinical setting | “We report here on a study of women’s experiences of fractures and present data in which women reflect on their perceived fracture risk after having suffered a low-energy fracture at midlife (i.e., 40 years and beyond).” | In-depth |
| Rothmann et al. | 2014 | Denmark | Qualitative sub-study of Risk-stratified Osteoporosis Strategy Evaluation (ROSE) | Sub-study of RCT | “The aim of the present qualitative study was to explore women’s perspectives and experiences in relation to an osteoporosis screening trial (risk-stratified osteoporosis strategy evaluation, ROSE), with a specific focus on acceptance and psychological consequences of screening.” | Focus group (8) |
| Semi-structured | ||||||
| Sale et al.a | 2010 | Canada | Observational | Clinical setting | “The purpose of this study was to examine fracture patients’ understanding of [osteoporosis] and [osteoporosis] care after being screened for [osteoporosis] in a fracture clinic.” | Focus group (5) |
| Sale et al. | 2014a | Canada | Observational | Clinical setting | “The purpose of the current qualitative study was to examine patients’ experiences and actions regarding [osteoporosis] investigation and treatment after they were screened through the [Fracture Clinic Screening Program]. Specifically, we were interested in the potential barriers to post-fracture secondary prevention experienced by, or influencing, patients before and after fracture risk assessment.” | Interviews (2; 1st at 6 months, 2nd at 18 months) |
| Sale et al.c | 2014b | Canada | Observational | National Osteoporosis Patient Group | “To narrow existing investigation and treatment gaps in bone health, the purpose of our study was to examine the experiences and behaviours with bone health management post-fracture among members of an existing national [osteoporosis] patient group.” | Interviews |
| Sale et al.c | 2015 | Canada | Observational | National Osteoporosis Patient Group | “The purpose of our study was to determine how members of a national [osteoporosis] patient group perceived the messages received from various healthcare providers regarding bone health following a fracture.” | Interviews |
| Solimeo et al. | 2011 | USA | Observational | Clinical setting | “This study demonstrates the variance and commonalities found among men’s experience [of osteoporosis] and raises the clinical implications of patient beliefs.” | Semi-structured |
a,b,cArticles from the same studies
dNumber of focus groups conducted