Mapping the Clinical Care Pathway of Fragility Fracture Patients at a German Maximum Care Provider Through Qualitative Research

Abstract

Osteoporosis is a chronic underdiagnosed condition that weakens bone structure with increased risk of fragility fractures. While the prevalence of osteoporosis is expected to increase due to demographic developments in many countries, there is found to be a serious treatment gap for patients. This is partly due to inadequate diagnostic procedures at healthcare facilities. Considering this, there is a need to understand factors that affect processes involving diagnosis and treatment in osteoporotic patients. This study’s primary aim is to explore the management of patients with fragility fractures and osteoporosis by conducting and analyzing semi-structured interviews with healthcare professionals at a German maximum care provider. Insights from the interviews were used to map out the pathway of clinical care for patients and the results suggest a multitude of factors including disease awareness, communication, and up-to-date information to be particularly important for increased treatment quality. Future studies shall focus on improving generalizability and exploring the effectiveness of recently updated guidelines for management of osteoporosis.

Zusammenfassung

Osteoporose ist eine chronische, unterdiagnostizierte Erkrankung, die die Knochenstruktur schwächt und das Risiko für Fragilitätsfrakturen erhöht. Aufgrund der demografischen Entwicklungen in vielen Ländern wird eine Zunahme der Prävalenz von Osteoporose vermutet, jedoch besteht eine erhebliche Behandlungslücke bei Frakturpatienten. Dies ist teilweise auf unzureichende diagnostische Verfahren in Gesundheitseinrichtungen zurückzuführen. Daher ist es notwendig, die Faktoren zu verstehen, welche die Prozesse der Diagnostik und Behandlung von Osteoporosepatienten beeinflussen. Ziel dieser Studie ist es, das Management von Patienten mit Fragilitätsfrakturen und Osteoporose zu untersuchen, indem semistrukturierte Interviews mit medizinischem Fachpersonal eines deutschen Maximalversorgers durchgeführt und analysiert werden. Die Erkenntnisse aus den Interviews wurden genutzt, um den Behandlungspfad klinisch abzubilden. Die Ergebnisse deuten darauf hin, dass eine Vielzahl von Faktoren, einschl. Krankheitsbewusstsein, Kommunikation und aktueller Informationen, für eine erhöhte Behandlungsqualität besonders wichtig sind.

Keywords

osteoporosis - fragility fractures - clinical care pathway - qualitative research - pathway

Schlüsselwörter

Osteoporose - klinischer Behandlungspfad - qualitative Forschung - Ffragilitätsfraktur - Behandlungspfad

Publication History

Received: 17 January 2024

Accepted after revision: 27 June 2025

Article published online:
08 August 2025

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