Bone quality: educational tools for XXXX , physicians, and educators.

@entity1 @entity170 @entity174
BACKGROUND: Defining bone quality remains elusive. From a @entity1 perspective bone quality can best be defined as an individual's likelihood of sustaining a @entity174 . @entity174 risk indicators and performance measures can help clinicians better understand individual @entity174 risk. Educational resources such as the Web can help clinicians and @entity1 better understand @entity174 risk, communicate effectively, and make decisions concerning diagnosis and treatment. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: We examined four questions: What tools can be used to identify individuals at high risk for @entity174 ? What clinical performance measures are available? What strategies can help ensure that @entity1 at risk for @entity174 are identified? What are some authoritative Web sites for educating providers and @entity1 about bone quality? METHODS: Using Google, PUBMED, and trademark names, we reviewed the literature using the terms "bone quality" and " @entity170 education." Web site legitimacy was evaluated using specific criteria. Educational Web sites were limited to English-language sites sponsored by nonprofit organizations RESULTS: The @entity174 Risk Assessment Tool   (FRAX  ) and the @entity174 Risk Calculator (FRC) are reliable means of assessing @entity174 risk. Performance measures relating to bone health were developed by the AMA convened Physician Consortium for Performance Improvement   and are included in the Physician Quality Reporting Initiative. In addition, quality measures have been developed by the Joint Commission. Strategies for identifying individuals at risk include designating responsibility for case finding and intervention, evaluating secondary causes of @entity170 , educating @entity1 and providers, performing cost-effectiveness evaluation, and using information technology. An abundance of authoritative educational Web sites exists for providers and @entity1 . CONCLUSIONS: Effective clinical indicators, performance measures, and educational tools to better understand and identify @entity174 risk are now available. The next challenge is to encourage broader use of these resources so that individuals at high risk for @entity174 will not just be identified but will also adhere to therapy.
