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Completed

NCT Number: NCT01887392

Gaining Optimal Osteoporosis Assessments in Long-Term Care (GOAL)

The aim of this study is to disseminate the 2010 Osteoporosis Canada clinical practice guidelines, using a multi-faceted Knowledge Translation (KT) model, as KT aims to close the gap between knowledge generated from research and practice. The investigators' primary objective is to evaluate if this intervention can increase the percent of long-term care (LTC) residents receiving appropriate treatment for osteoporosis (i.e. treatment is considered appropriate for an individual over age 50 who has had a diagnosis of osteoporosis or a fragility fracture of the hip or vertebrae and those who have had more than one fragility fracture and is therefore considered high-risk). A secondary objective is to examine whether the intervention increases the percent of all LTC residents receiving Vitamin D equivalent to ≥800 IU/day.

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Key information

Conditions

Osteoporosis Bone Diseases Bone Diseases, Metabolic Metabolic Diseases Musculoskeletal Diseases Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

St. Peter's Hospital

Hamilton, Ontario, L8M 1W9, Canada

About this study

Individuals who live in LTC are at high risk for osteoporosis and fractures, particularly hip fractures, which lead to pain and transfer to acute care. The investigators' previous work in LTC has shown that awareness and use of clinical practice guidelines in LTC are low. To successfully transfer knowledge, it is imperative to understand the needs of the LTC teams and to tailor KT interventions appropriately.

Interventions which focus on strategies to overcome barriers and on new ways to deliver and promote the uptake of best practices that are specific to both the learning needs of LTC health care providers and the operational/organizational culture in LTC are greatly needed. Interdisciplinary teams who participated in the Vitamin D and Osteoporosis Study (ViDOS) indicated several process barriers that may hinder the proper identification and treatment of fractures in LTC. There is a need to educate Ontario LTC practitioners on the osteoporosis guidelines. The investigators' aim is to facilitate the uptake of Osteoporosis Canada 2010 Clinical Practice Guidelines, across Ontario LTC homes using the ViDOS multi-faceted KT model. Furthermore, the investigators will have a greater emphasis on the implementation of guidelines which includes risk assessment and appropriate medication use.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • A minimum of 2 physicians for each LTC home served by a Pharmacy provider

Exclusion criteria

  • LTC homes that have only one prescribing physician

Treatment and study plan

Knowledge Translation Education Sessions

Other

Two interactive sessions will be delivered to the interprofessional team at Month 1 and Month 6 and are 1 hour in length. The Clinical Consultant Pharmacist at each LTC home will lead the Knowledge Translation Sessions. Participants will watch an educational video, developed by the co-investigators with expertise in osteoporosis and geriatrics and members of the Ontario College of Family Physicians. Accompanying materials that support the topics in the video will be provided. Following the educational video, one of the experts from the video will phone the LTC home to address questions and provide the home with direct access to an expert.

Primary outcomes

  1. Difference in the percentage of residents appropriately prescribed an osteoporosis medication before and after the intervention.

    Time frame: 18 months

    Difference in the percentage of residents appropriately prescribed an osteoporosis medication before and after the intervention will be measured. Medications to be included in the baseline and post data download are in accordance with the current Osteoporosis Canada guidelines. Treatment is considered appropriate for an individual over age 50 who has had a diagnosis of osteoporosis or a fragility fracture of the hip or vertebra and those who have had more than one fragility fracture (i.e. high risk).

Secondary outcomes

  1. Difference in the percentage of residents prescribed Vitamin D (equivalent to ≥800 IU/day) before and after the intervention.

    Time frame: 18 months

    Vitamin D will be included in the baseline and post data download to compare the two results and see if more residents have been prescribed vitamin D.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

McMaster University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

The Evaluation of a Multifaceted, Knowledge Translation Education Intervention in Long-Term Care and Its Ability to Facilitate the Uptake of Osteoporosis Canada 2010 Clinical Practice Guidelines, Across Ontario LTC Homes

Acronym: GOAL

Important dates

Study start
2013
Primary completion
2016
Study completion
2016
First posted
Jun 26, 2013
Registry last updated
Jul 1, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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