Scholarlink

Summary <p>Osteoporotic spine fractures deeply affect patients’ lives, yet little is known about patients’ lived experiences. This qualitative study found that patients face delayed diagnosis, inconsistent care, and emotional distress, while professionals call for clearer communication and coordination. Results highlight the urgent need for more consistent, patient-centered osteoporosis care.</p> Purpose <p>Osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs) are common and often debilitating, yet patient perspectives remain underexplored. This study aimed to investigate the lived experiences of patients with OVCF and the perspectives of healthcare professionals involved in their care.</p> Methods <p>A qualitative research design was used, involving 25 semi-structured interviews with postmenopausal women with a symptomatic OVCF (<i>n</i> = 15) and healthcare providers (<i>n</i> = 10) across six Dutch hospitals. Thematic analysis was performed using ATLAS.ti. After initial familiarization, data were organized into categories and subcategories. Coding was iterative, and 25% of transcripts were independently reviewed by a second author.</p> Results <p>Key themes among patients included delayed recognition of fractures, severe early pain with mixed responses to pain management, and a lasting impact on physical function, emotional well-being, and independence. Kinesiophobia and perceived loss of autonomy were prominent. Despite this, many patients demonstrated resilience and adapted pragmatically to limitations. Healthcare professionals reported heterogeneity in care protocols, particularly regarding bracing and physical therapy, and emphasized the need for personalized, multidisciplinary care. Both patients and providers identified gaps in communication and inconsistencies throughout the entire patient-journey.</p> Conclusions <p>This study underscores the profound impact of OVCF on patients’ daily lives and highlights the need for earlier recognition, clearer communication, and more consistent care strategies. Embedding psychological support and improving coordination across disciplines may enhance recovery. These findings point to the need for more standardized guidance on pain management, diagnostic pathways, and patient communication and may inform the development of uniform treatment protocols and patient information tools within osteoporosis care.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Living with an osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture: a qualitative exploration of patient and healthcare professional perspectives

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年1月13日

查看全文
  • Annemarijn Weber,
  • Ruud Droeghaag,
  • Agnes T. G. Paulus,
  • Silvia M. A. A. Evers,
  • Sander M. J. van Kuijk,
  • Paul C. Willems,
  • Eva Jacobs

摘要

Summary

Osteoporotic spine fractures deeply affect patients’ lives, yet little is known about patients’ lived experiences. This qualitative study found that patients face delayed diagnosis, inconsistent care, and emotional distress, while professionals call for clearer communication and coordination. Results highlight the urgent need for more consistent, patient-centered osteoporosis care.

Purpose

Osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs) are common and often debilitating, yet patient perspectives remain underexplored. This study aimed to investigate the lived experiences of patients with OVCF and the perspectives of healthcare professionals involved in their care.

Methods

A qualitative research design was used, involving 25 semi-structured interviews with postmenopausal women with a symptomatic OVCF (n = 15) and healthcare providers (n = 10) across six Dutch hospitals. Thematic analysis was performed using ATLAS.ti. After initial familiarization, data were organized into categories and subcategories. Coding was iterative, and 25% of transcripts were independently reviewed by a second author.

Results

Key themes among patients included delayed recognition of fractures, severe early pain with mixed responses to pain management, and a lasting impact on physical function, emotional well-being, and independence. Kinesiophobia and perceived loss of autonomy were prominent. Despite this, many patients demonstrated resilience and adapted pragmatically to limitations. Healthcare professionals reported heterogeneity in care protocols, particularly regarding bracing and physical therapy, and emphasized the need for personalized, multidisciplinary care. Both patients and providers identified gaps in communication and inconsistencies throughout the entire patient-journey.

Conclusions

This study underscores the profound impact of OVCF on patients’ daily lives and highlights the need for earlier recognition, clearer communication, and more consistent care strategies. Embedding psychological support and improving coordination across disciplines may enhance recovery. These findings point to the need for more standardized guidance on pain management, diagnostic pathways, and patient communication and may inform the development of uniform treatment protocols and patient information tools within osteoporosis care.