The impact of osteoporosis continuing education on nurses' knowledge and attitudes

BACKGROUND: Osteoporosis has rapidly evolved into a severe health threat to Americans and a major public health problem. The increasing incidence of this disease and related fractures mandates that continuing education include osteoporosis content to ensure nurses provide competent education and care. An osteoporosis educational program was presented to nurses as part of a continuing education symposium on women's health issues. The program was tested to determine its effectiveness in augmenting the osteoporosis-related knowledge and attitudes of nurses. METHOD: Eighty-one RNs with educational levels varying from associate degrees to doctorates attended the continuing education program. Sixty-three of the program participants completed pretest and posttest measures. FINDINGS: The educational program significantly increased osteoporosis knowledge in this cohort of nurses. Additionally, nurses indicated they were more likely to pay attention to their own bone health as a result of attending the program. CONCLUSION: Results of this study reinforce the need for osteoporosis-related continuing education.