Long-term Care Planning

Osteoporosis is a long-term condition that requires ongoing management to prevent fractures and maintain bone health. Given the variety of treatment regimens available – ranging from daily or weekly oral tablets to six-monthly subcutaneous injections of denosumab or annual intravenous infusions of zoledronic acid – ensuring patient adherence is crucial.

Primary care providers play a crucial role in ensuring patients commence and adhere to long-term osteoporosis treatments and receive timely follow-ups.

Primary care providers (PCPs) play a central role in this process by monitoring medication adherence, scheduling follow-ups for injections or infusions, and educating patients on the importance of staying on treatment. Adhering to long-term care plans for fragility fracture patients provided by the local Fracture Liaison Service (FLS) ensures timely and effective management.

In cases where a patient sustains a new fragility fracture despite being on treatment, it is essential to reassess their management plan. This requires close collaboration between the FLS team and the PCP to determine whether changes in therapy are needed.

It is also essential for PCPs to be vigilant about whether their patients have experienced falls, especially if they are frequently falling. The Stay Independent Falls Prevention Toolkit is a valuable resource designed to assist Primary Care Teams in evaluating an individual’s risk of falling and implementing effective strategies to mitigate this risk.