Multidisciplinary patient education in groups increases knowledge on osteoporosis: a randomized controlled trial

INTRODUCTION: Specific pharmacological treatment reduces the incidence of fractures significantly in patients with osteoporosis. Unfortunately, compliance with such therapy is low in clinical practice and is inversely related to educational level. We hypothesized that patients' knowledge of osteoporosis may be increased by a group-based multidisciplinary education programme. METHODS: Three hundred patients, aged 45-81 years, recently diagnosed with osteoporosis and started on specific treatment, were randomized to either the "school' or "control' group. Teaching was performed by nurses, physiotherapists, dieticians, and doctors, and designed to increase the patient's empowerment. The patient's knowledge of osteoporosis was tested at study entry and at 3 months using a validated questionnaire. RESULTS: At study entry, no differences in age or score (22 (18-24) (median (25-75 percentiles)) vs. 22 (18-24)) were seen between the school and control groups. The change in knowledge during the study, however, differed significantly between the two groups (p<0.001). In the school group, the increase in knowledge score correlated inversely with the level of education; that is, the lower the education level, the higher the gain in knowledge during the course (Rho=-0.25, p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: A group-based multidisciplinary education programme significantly increases patients' knowledge of the disease.