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Osteoporosis: Delivering Osteoporosis Services in Primary Care…
27/03/2006
An innovative and stimulating new online educational tool for nurses has been launched today. The website, www.healthybone.co.uk, is designed to educate Practice Nurses on improving the long-term management of osteoporosis; which is a key health priority for the Government. Within the spectrum of chronic disease, osteoporosis is a preventable and treatable condition that places a high burden on healthcare services, and is a field where further development of the invaluable role of the nurse is needed.
Healthybone.co.uk will provide Practice Nurses with the knowledge to recognise osteoporosis risk factors, inform them on management strategies and update them on the current pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments available. The site has been developed in conjunction with a panel of primary and secondary care osteoporosis nurse specialists and the University of Derby. Importantly, through completion of the programme learners will be eligible to apply for the inaugural BTEC professional award in osteoporosis and falls management, gaining them educational points which are transferable to any national Higher Education Institute.
In order to reduce the risk of osteoporosis and subsequent fractures, it is essential that Practice Nurses take the lead role in identifying at-risk patients and initiating an appropriate management strategy.
`There has been a noticeable gap in the knowledge and understanding of osteoporosis within primary care and we feel this educational tool will help to fill that gap. I am delighted to be involved in such an exciting project which we hope will ultimately reduce the number of osteoporotic fractures and in turn lessen the growing burden on the NHS`, states Anne Sutcliffe, Editorial Panel Member and Osteoporosis Specialist Nurse from Newcastle upon Tyne.
Healthybone.co.uk has been developed by Servier Laboratories as part of their long-term commitment to improving the management of osteoporosis in the UK.
Editor’s notes
· Osteoporosis is defined as a progressive systemic skeletal disease characterised by low bone mass and microarchitectural deterioration of bone tissue, with a consequent increase in bone fragility and susceptibility to fracture.1
· Osteoporosis is the most common human metabolic bone disorder.2
· It has been estimated that at least one in two women and one in five men over the age of 50 in the UK will sustain one or more fractures.3
· The combined social care and medical costs for treating osteoporotic fractures is estimated to be at least £1.7 billion annually in the UK.3
· Up to half of hip fracture patients lose the ability to live independently, and up to 20% may die within six months as a result of the fracture.4
· The new BTEC Professional Diploma in Practice in Osteoporosis and Falls Management commences in April 2006.
· For further information on the BTEC Professional Diploma in Practice in Osteoporosis and Falls Management please contact Angie Snow on 01332 254635 ext 4350 or email: a.snow@derby.ac.uk
References
1. Royal College of Physicians, Bone and Tooth Society of Great Britain. Osteoporosis: Clinical guidelines for prevention and treatment. Update on pharmacological interventions and an algorithm for management. London: RCP, 2001. www.rcplondon.ac.uk. Last accessed 2nd August 2005.
2. Eddy DM, Johnston CC, Cummings SR et al. Osteoporosis: review of the evidence for prevention, diagnosis and treatment and cost-effectiveness analysis. The National Osteoporosis Foundation. Osteoporosis Int 1998; 8(Suppl 4): S7–S80.
3. National Osteoporosis Society website. What is Osteoporosis? What is it? www.nos.org.uk. Last accessed 13th December 2005.
4. Rowe R. Preventive strategies: is current clinical practice effective for bones? Br J Clin Pract 1996; 50: 47-49.
For further information, please contact either:-
Sarah Pearse of Athena Medical PR on 020 8956 2872 or at sarah@athenamedicalpr.com
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Last Updated 27/03/2006
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