Abstract
Purpose: Osteoporosis is a common chronic condition that is both underdiagnosed and undertreated. The at-risk population could benefit from the implementation of improved risk assessment screening, including the use of bone mineral density testing. Early diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis can greatly reduce fracture incidence. The purpose of this program development and evaluation project is to increase screening for osteoporosis in a rural Midwest primary care clinic.|Methods: The program included the use of the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) One Minute Assessment to ascertain the risk of osteoporosis on every patient over the age of 50 who was seen by the primary care physician (PCP) for a wellness examination or a follow-up visit over a three month period. The rate of patients meeting the study’s inclusion criteria who obtained a DXA scan in the three months before the intervention period was compared to the rate meeting criteria during the intervention period to assess if the risk assessment tool was effective at increasing osteoporosis screening.|Results: A cohort of 211 patients met inclusion criteria. Of those, 184 (87%) were assessed with the IOF One Minute Assessment. Thirteen DXA scans were ordered and completed during the intervention period with seven diagnoses of osteopenia, three diagnoses of osteoporosis, and three normal scans. The rate of DXA screening among patients who met inclusion criteria increased from approximately 2% at pre-intervention to approximately 6% post-intervention χ^2= 5.43, .p_exact = 0278).|Conclusion: The staff in this busy clinic were highly compliant with screening, with 87% of eligible patients administered the One Minute Assessment. The number of DXA’s completed increased from pre- to post-intervention, and ten of thirteen DXA’s indicated osteopenia or osteoporosis. Use of the brief One Minute Assessment was feasible and effective in increasing the diagnosis of osteopenia and osteoporosis in this rural Midwest clinic.