A Model for Osteoporosis Education of Students and Health Professionals

The “graying” of North America has created an increased awareness of the medical problems that face the aging population. Osteoporosis with its increased risk of fractures will impact on health care costs and the quality of life of the growing aging population. All members of health care teams that are involved in the care of these patients need to develop an awareness and understanding of the disease. The spectrum of the disease spans all parts of the life cycle, from childhood and primary prevention with the focus on exercise and dietary intake to the elderly and tertiary prevention with the rehabilitation of the patient with a hip fracture. This paper describes an innovative approach to educating health professionals about osteoporosis.This model can be adapted to all levels of learners, from the undergraduate programs to the professionals involved in ongoing learning. McMaster University has incorporated the principles of problem based learning in a small group setting to educate its learners. The students gain insight on the impact of osteoporosis by exploring issues centered on paper problems and standardized patients through the health care system.