Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40835900›Full record

ArticleBMC primary care2025

Family physicians' attitudes and practice on screening and prevention of fragility fractures, and shared decision-making with postmenopausal women: a qualitative study in Spain.

Montserrat León-García, Esther Cánovas Martínez, Yolanda Álvarez Pérez, María Antonia Pou, Alberto López García-Franco, Ana Sanz Bas, Sara Rodriguez-Moreno, Claudia Erika Delgado Espinoza, Pablo Roca, Aránzazu González Osuna and 5 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC primary care, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

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0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Review
4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

15 authors.

Montserrat León-GarcíaIberoamerican Cochrane Centre, Sant Antoni Maria Claret, Barcelona, Spain.
Esther Cánovas MartínezInstitut de Recerca Sant Pau (IR SANT PAU), Sant Quintí 77-79, Barcelona, 08041, Spain.
Yolanda Álvarez PérezCanary Islands Health Research Institute Foundation (FIISC), Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Tenerife, Spain.
María Antonia PouEquipo de Atención Primaria Encants, Institut Català de la Salut, Barcelona, Spain.
Alberto López García-FrancoEquipo de Atención Primaria "Doctor Mendiguchía Carriche" Leganes, Madrid, Spain.
Ana Sanz BasDepartament de Medicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
Sara Rodriguez-MorenoFaculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Villanueva, Madrid, Spain.
Claudia Erika Delgado EspinozaDepartment of Clinical Pharmacology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain.
Pablo RocaFaculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Villanueva, Madrid, Spain.
Aránzazu González OsunaDepartament de Medicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
Diana Fernández ValverdeInstitut de Recerca Sant Pau (IR SANT PAU), Sant Quintí 77-79, Barcelona, 08041, Spain.
Betzabeth Marín NancoUniversidad Santo Tomas, Santiago, Chile.
Melixa Medina-AedoIberoamerican Cochrane Centre, Sant Antoni Maria Claret, Barcelona, Spain.
Lilisbeth Perestelo-PérezEvaluation Unit (SESCS), Canary Islands Health Service (SCS), El Rosario, Tenerife, Spain.
Pablo Alonso-CoelloInstitut de Recerca Sant Pau (IR SANT PAU), Sant Quintí 77-79, Barcelona, 08041, Spain. PAlonso@santpau.cat.

Funding

Health Institute Carlos III and Co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund "A way to make Europe" PI20/00681
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundOsteoporosis is a prevalent condition among postmenopausal women, significantly increasing the risk of fragility fractures. Despite the availability of clinical guidelines, their implementation in primary care, remains highly variable, particularly regarding fracture prevention and shared decision-making (SDM).

methodsWe conducted a qualitative study to explore the attitudes and practices of Spanish family physicians in preventing fractures among postmenopausal women. Sixteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with physicians from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds and levels of clinical experience. Data were analysed using an iterative, theory-driven approach to identify key themes and barriers.

resultsPhysicians showed substantial variability in fracture risk assessment approaches, frequently combining tools such as FRAX with clinical judgment. Most were cautious about prescribing bisphosphonates for primary prevention, citing concerns about the strength of the evidence and potential adverse effects. While non-pharmacological strategies, such as lifestyle modifications and fall prevention, were emphasized, their implementation was often constrained by workload pressures. Patient involvement in decision-making was hindered by widespread misconceptions about osteoporosis and its treatment, as well as the lack of appropriate decision-support tools. Participants highlighted the need for clearer guidelines, enhanced educational resources, and accessible decision aids to facilitate patient engagement in care.

conclusionsThis study highlights the complex challenges family physicians face in fracture prevention among postmenopausal women, including heterogeneity of recommendations in guidelines, limited SDM implementation, and systemic barriers within primary care. Addressing these issues will require multifaceted interventions targeting both healthcare system constraints and patient education. Future efforts should focus on developing and implementing strategies that support evidence-based, patient-centred decision-making while accounting for the realities of primary care practice.

Indexed as

Attitude of Health PersonnelDecision Making, SharedOsteoporosis, PostmenopausalOsteoporotic FracturesPhysicians, FamilyPractice Patterns, Physicians'AdultAgedBone Density Conservation AgentsFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedPrimary Health CareQualitative ResearchRisk AssessmentBone Density Conservation AgentsFragility fracturesOsteoporosisPrimary healthcarePrimary preventionShared decision-making

Identifiers

PMID40835900
PMCPMC12366220

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.