Perceptions and practices of aged care pharmacists regarding osteoporosis management: a qualitative study

BACKGROUND: Osteoporosis is a common but sub-optimally managed disease among aged care residents. Although pharmacists are one of the key healthcare providers responsible for osteoporosis medication management there is limited research on their involvement. AIM: This study explored the perceptions and practices of Australian pharmacists regarding osteoporosis management for aged care residents. METHOD: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with aged care pharmacists. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analysed using a constructivist grounded theory approach. RESULTS: Twenty-one aged care pharmacists were interviewed. Three main themes were identified: osteoporosis is highly prevalent but given low priority, factors affecting pharmacists’ management of osteoporosis, and optimism for the future role of pharmacists in osteoporosis management. The complexity of aged care residents’ healthcare needs and the silent, insidious nature of osteoporosis contribute to the low priority it is afforded. Barriers identified by pharmacists included their current practice model, limited access to residents’ medical histories and difficulties accessing bone mineral density (BMD) testing. Interdisciplinary collaboration and education regarding osteoporosis management were seen as facilitators. Pharmacists were optimistic that an embedded practice model would improve their capacity to influence osteoporosis management. CONCLUSION: The high prevalence and low priority of osteoporosis in the aged care setting presents pharmacists with an opportunity to improve medication management and reduce fracture risk. Barriers to osteoporosis management identified by pharmacists can be addressed by interdisciplinary collaboration and education. Pharmacists being embedded in aged care could enable more opportunities to contribute to the interdisciplinary team and become champions of osteoporosis management.