University of Massachusetts Medical School Faculty Publications
Title
Effect of self-referral on bone mineral density testing and osteoporosis treatment
UMMS Affiliation
Department of Quantitative Health Sciences
Publication Date
8-2014
Document Type
Article
Subjects
Absorptiometry, Photon; Age Factors; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; *Bone Density; Comorbidity; Continental Population Groups; *Diagnostic Self Evaluation; Female; Humans; Mass Screening; Osteoporosis; Patient Education as Topic
Disciplines
Community Health and Preventive Medicine | Health Services Research | Musculoskeletal Diseases | Public Health Education and Promotion | Women's Health
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Despite national guidelines recommending bone mineral density screening with dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in women aged 65 years and older, many women do not receive initial screening.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness of health system and patient-level interventions designed to increase appropriate DXA testing and osteoporosis treatment through (1) an invitation to self-refer for DXA (self-referral); (2) self-referral plus patient educational materials; and (3) usual care (UC, physician referral).
RESEARCH DESIGN: Parallel, group-randomized, controlled trials performed at Kaiser Permanente Northwest (KPNW) and Kaiser Permanente Georgia (KPG). SUBJECTS: Women aged 65 years and older without a DXA in past 5 years.
MEASURES: DXA completion rates 90 days after intervention mailing and osteoporosis medication receipt 180 days after initial intervention mailing.
RESULTS: From > 12,000 eligible women, those randomized to self-referral were significantly more likely to receive a DXA than UC (13.0%-24.1% self-referral vs. 4.9%-5.9% UC, P < 0.05). DXA rates did not significantly increase with patient educational materials. Osteoporosis was detected in a greater proportion of self-referral women compared with UC (P < 0.001). The number needed to receive an invitation to result in a DXA in KPNW and KPG regions was approximately 5 and 12, respectively. New osteoporosis prescription rates were low (0.8%-3.4%) but significantly greater among self-referral versus UC in KPNW.
CONCLUSIONS: DXA rates significantly improved with a mailed invitation to schedule a scan without physician referral. Providing women the opportunity to self-refer may be an effective, low-cost strategy to increase access for recommended osteoporosis screening.
DOI of Published Version
10.1097/MLR.0000000000000170
Source
Med Care. 2014 Aug;52(8):743-50. doi: 10.1097/MLR.0000000000000170. Link to article on publisher's site
Related Resources
Journal/Book/Conference Title
Medical care
PubMed ID
24984211
Repository Citation
Warriner, Amy H.; Outman, Ryan C.; Feldstein, Adrianne C.; Roblin, Douglas W.; Allison, Jeroan J.; Curtis, Jeffrey R.; Redden, David T.; Rix, Mary M.; Robinson, Brandi E.; Rosales, Ana G.; Safford, Monika M.; and Saag, Kenneth G., "Effect of self-referral on bone mineral density testing and osteoporosis treatment" (2014). University of Massachusetts Medical School Faculty Publications. 689.
https://escholarship.umassmed.edu/faculty_pubs/689