Clinical Research Directory

Health Literacy and Osteoporosis Awareness

Osteoporosis (OP) is defined as a progressive metabolic bone disease characterized by low bone mass and deterioration of the microarchitecture of bone tissue, resulting in increased bone fragility and a higher risk of fractures. Osteoporosis and related fractures constitute a significant public health problem in our increasingly aging world. It is currently estimated that more than 200 million people worldwide are affected by osteoporosis. The most important clinical outcome of osteoporosis is fragility fractures that occur as a result of low-energy trauma. Health literacy is an important determinant of both individual and public health and is considered a fundamental component of patient-centered care. Health literacy is defined as the ability to obtain, process, and understand relevant health information in order to make appropriate health decisions, and limited health literacy is recognized as a global public health problem. Many patients have difficulty understanding their medical conditions, medications, and care instructions due to inadequate health literacy. Patients with limited health literacy often have insufficient understanding of diagnostic and treatment protocols, which poses a risk for potential misuse of healthcare services and poorer health outcomes. Low levels of health literacy are also associated with increased hospital admissions and higher mortality rates. In contrast, higher health literacy is associated with greater health knowledge and self-confidence. Screening for the prevention of osteoporosis and related fractures can reduce fracture-associated mortality and morbidity. Such screening may be initiated by physicians through the evaluation of osteoporosis risk factors during clinical visits, or in some cases, based on patient demand, again guided by the physician's assessment of risk factors. One of the most important factors influencing patient demand is the level of osteoporosis awareness. Early diagnosis and treatment in at-risk patient groups before fractures occur can help prevent potential complications. In recent years, numerous scientific studies have investigated levels of osteoporosis knowledge and awareness. Some of these studies have focused on specific populations, such as individuals with spinal cord injury, rheumatoid arthritis, or patients followed after osteoporotic fractures, while others have been conducted exclusively among women. With increasing life expectancy and the growth of the elderly population, osteoporosis has become a more prominent health issue and is no longer limited to postmenopausal women, but rather represents a serious health problem affecting individuals of both sexes. The aim of the present study is to assess health literacy and the level of osteoporosis awareness among individuals in the age group at risk for osteoporosis and to identify factors influencing these outcomes. One of the distinguishing features of our study compared to previous research is the inclusion of both sexes. Another distinguishing aspect is the emphasis on the indication for osteoporosis screening in older adults, even in the absence of obvious risk factors such as chronic disease, medication use, or a history of fractures. We hope that our study will contribute to the existing literature on osteoporosis, health literacy, and osteoporosis awareness.

FOllow-up of LOW-acuity Patients After REdirection From a Swiss Emergency Department Using an Electronic TRIage Application

Emergency department (ED) overcrowding is a growing issue, affecting patient safety, healthcare quality, and hospital efficiency. One strategy to manage low-acuity patients is triage-based redirection, where patients with non-urgent conditions are offered the option to receive care at external medical facilities instead of the ED. This monocentric, prospective observational study will be conducted at Fribourg Cantonal Hospital, Switzerland, and evaluates the impact of a new electronic triage and redirection system (Logibec Réorientation). The study compares two triage processes: Current practice - Redirection based on the Swiss Emergency Triage Scale (SETS), limited to low-acuity patients (SETS 4). New practice - Redirection using the Logibec software, allowing redirection of both low-acuity (SETS 4) and semi-urgent (SETS 3) patients based on predefined criteria. The primary objective is to assess whether the new triage-based redirection reduces the number of ED consultations per patient within 48 hours of their initial visit. Secondary outcomes include: Number of consultations in the ED or other medical facilities within 7 days Rate of hospital admissions within 7 days Patient satisfaction with redirection Evolution of health literacy over 6 months Number of ED visits over 6 months Participants are adult patients (≥18 years old) classified as SETS 3-4 and identified as eligible for redirection by the Logibec software. Data will be collected through phone interviews and questionnaires over a 6-month follow-up period. This study aims to improve triage efficiency, patient flow management, and healthcare accessibility, while ensuring patient safety in the redirection process.

Impact of Hospital Pharmacist Intervention on Medication Management in Dialysis Patients

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if an intervention of a hospital pharmacist could help, dialysis patients managed his treatment. In a first time, the health literacy level will be assed. The main questions it aims to answer are: What is the impact of the clinical pharmacist intervention on the understanding level and management level of his treatment by the patient? Does the intervention of the pharmacist has an effect on the biologicals parameters of the patient? Researchers will compare a group with a pharmacist intervention VS a group without pharmacist intervention for dialysis patients.