Current status of postoperative care for elderly osteoporotic fracture patients in Jiangsu Province, China: A multicenter cross-sectional study

Background

The postoperative care behavior of elderly osteoporotic fracture patients has a significant impact on their prognosis and rehabilitation; thus, it is critical to completely comprehend their current state of care before optimizing postoperative care strategies.

Aims

To determine the current status of postoperative care for elderly osteoporotic fracture patients in Jiangsu Province.

Methods

From October to December 2023, 669 elderly postoperative patients with osteoporotic fractures were recruited for a cross-sectional study via convenience sampling and a self-designed questionnaire from 21 hospitals in seven urban areas in Jiangsu Province.

Results

A total of 800 questionnaires were distributed, and 709 questionnaires were recovered, for a return rate of 88.6%. The postoperative support and care received by the patients were mostly by their children and spouses, and the postoperative health education knowledge received by the patients was mostly about fracture-related knowledge and precautions for the use of medications. Health education methods were mainly conducted by medical staff explanations and health brochures; only 45.3% of the patients were treated with anti-osteoporosis therapy.

Conclusions

The current status of postoperative care for osteoporotic fracture patients in Jiangsu Province varies somewhat according to geographic location, hospital level and other factors, with tertiary hospitals and more economically developed areas having relatively better care outcomes. For in-hospital care, it is necessary to improve the content and methods of in-hospital education. For out-of-hospital care, it is necessary to raise the level of awareness of anti-osteoporosis treatment and the prevention and treatment of re-fractures, and to improve hospital-community referral services.