We asked the people we talked to, to suggest ways that health professionals could make things better for those living with osteoporosis. Here is what they said:
Communication and attitudes
- Do preventative work. Make us more aware of osteoporosis, particularly those over fifty.
- Be compassionate and sensitive, sometimes we are in a great deal of pain.
- Make sure that the chair that your patient sits in is comfortable.
- During examinations treat us with care. We are frightened of having fractures.
- Give us the opportunity to talk to you, particularly if we are elderly.
- Be sensitive to our problems and our needs in living with a chronic illness.
- Allow people to do things in his/her own time. Don’t rush them.
- Reassure us when you see we are frightened and nervous.
- Offer assistance, people do not often ask for it.
- More TLC (tender loving care).
- Treat us as somebody who is important.
- Be friendly.
- Be knowledgeable.
- Back pain should be investigated. Don’t send us home with painkillers.
- Regularly monitor our treatment. We want more than just repeat prescriptions
- Send us for regular DXA scans
- Don’t let us cope alone. Organise patient-information groups, meetings
- Think creatively when you are listening to someone’s symptoms
- Give calcium supplements to young people.
Advice and information about osteoporosis
- Give us more information and support particularly if we are newly diagnosed.
- Tell us everything we need to know about our condition. Don’t send us home with just a leaflet
- Suggest other sources of support and information
- Give more advice on exercise
- GPs should learn more about osteoporosis.