Bridging the Gap: Osteoporosis Treatment and Prevention
Work Type
Poster
Abstract
Osteoporosis is a chronic, progressive disease affecting over 10 million Americans. Almost 50% of women over age 50 will sustain an osteoporotic fracture in their lifetime. Despite strong evidence supporting prevention and treatment strategies, many at-risk patients remain undiagnosed or undertreated. These prevention and treatment strategies include lifestyle modification via exercise and nutrition, early screening by utilizing DEXA scans, pharmacologic intervention when indicated, and structured, patient-centered education. Although guidelines strongly support these multifaceted management strategies screening remains inconsistent, medication adherence is low, and many online educational materials are inaccurate or above the recommended reading levels leading patients to misunderstand risks and treatment benefits.
The Gap: Lack of clear, standardized, clinic-based patient education materials to reinforce prevention and treatment.
Osteoporosis is a very common disease and I know many people who have been diagnosed. As a future physician associate, I am passionate about preventive medicine and patient empowerment. I wanted to address this gap between evidence-based guidelines and real-world patient understanding by developing a practical, clinic-based intervention through a handout.
Physician associates are often the first to screen for osteoporosis, responsible for counseling, prescribing and monitoring medications, and providing annual wellness education. This project is relevant to the PA field because it supports preventative medicine, encourages shared decision making, improves adherence, and reduces fracture risk. Patient education is a big part of our scope and patient-centered care is a large emphasis in our practice as physician associates.
Research Question: In adults at risk for or previously diagnosed with osteoporosis, does structured, easily available patient education about exercise, diet, pharmacological interventions and screening, improve adherence to these prevention and treatment strategies?
Publication Date
5-14-2026
Citation Information
Petersen, Baylee, "Bridging the Gap: Osteoporosis Treatment and Prevention" (2026). Student Works Physician Assistant. 75.
https://digitalcommons.dmu.edu/stu_pa/75
