Telemedicine Intention, Need, Expectations, and Perceived Challenges Among Women With Osteoporosis

NCT06969313 | Completed DMC

• 1 other identifier: Antalya City Hospital
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 197
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 2

Brief Summary

This study aims to explore the needs and expectations of women with postmenopausal osteoporosis regarding telemedicine services. Osteoporosis is a common condition among postmenopausal women that increases the risk of fractures and significantly affects quality of life. Many patients do not receive enough information about their disease and treatments during routine clinic visits, which may affect their ability to manage osteoporosis effectively. Participants will be divided into two age groups: those younger than 65 and those aged 65 or older. These subgroups will be compared in terms of their willingness to use telemedicine, their perceived need for such services, their expectations, preferred service topics, and anticipated barriers. Telemedicine-including video consultations, remote monitoring, and online health education-can offer support to patients, especially for those facing difficulties in accessing healthcare, such as elderly individuals, those living in rural areas, or people with mobility issues. In this research, women aged 50 to 85 who have been diagnosed with postmenopausal osteoporosis will be asked to complete a survey. The survey includes questions about their needs for telemedicine services, including which types of services (such as medication counseling, exercise programs, dietary advice, psychological support) would be most helpful for them. The study will also examine if age, education level, past fractures, or family history of osteoporosis influence patients' preferences for telemedicine. By identifying these needs, this research aims to improve access to healthcare and develop personalized telemedicine services for women with osteoporosis in Turkey. This is a non-interventional, observational, and anonymous survey-based study that will take approximately 10-15 minutes to complete. No medications, treatments, or physical tests will be applied.

Conditions

Osteoporosis; Telemedicine

Keywords

telemedicine; telehealth; patient needs; osteoporosis

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Intention to Use Telemedicine Services

  Participants were directly asked in the questionnaire about their willingness to use telemedicine services. Response options included "Yes," "Not sure," and "No."

  Day 1

• Telemedicine Needs Index

  The Telemedicine Need Index was calculated based on three demographic factors: living alone (scored 1), not driving or owning a car (scored 1), and having a chronic disease other than osteoporosis (scored 1). These scores were summed, yielding a total score ranging from 0 to 3. A score of 2 or higher indicated a high need for telemedicine services. Higher scores reflected a greater need for telemedicine.

  Day 1

• Differences of telemedicine willingness and need between age groups

  Intention to use telemedicine services (answers as yes, not and not sure) and the need for telemedicine (Telemedicine Need Index (scored 0 to 3)) were compared between younger (below 65) older (equal to or above 65) participant.

  Day 1

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Patient-reported barriers to telemedicine use

  Day 1

• Preferred topics for telemedicine services

  Day 1

• Perceived impact of telemedicine on Quality of Life

  Day 1

Study Arms (2)

Younger age group

Participants will be divided into two age groups. The younger age group will include participants below 65.

Other: Structured Questionnaire on Telemedicine Needs

Older age group

Participants will be divided into two age groups. The older age group will include participants equal to or above 65.

Other: Structured Questionnaire on Telemedicine Needs

Interventions

Structured Questionnaire on Telemedicine Needs OTHER

Participants will complete a structured questionnaire designed to assess their telemedicine needs, expectations, and current knowledge. The questionnaire includes items on demographics, osteoporosis management, and telemedicine service expectations. No clinical or pharmacological intervention will be applied.

Also known as: There is no other intervention.

Older age group; Younger age group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 50 Years - 85 Years
• Gender Eligibility Details: Only individuals who self-identify as women and are biologically female are eligible to participate in this study. The study focuses on postmenopausal osteoporosis, a condition that occurs in biological females after menopause. Participants must be women aged 50 to 85 years with a confirmed diagnosis of postmenopausal osteoporosis.
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Probability Sample

Study Population

The study population will include postmenopausal women aged 50 to 85 years with a confirmed diagnosis of osteoporosis. Participants will be recruited from patients attending the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department of Antalya City Hospital and the Gynecology Department of Antalya Anadolu Hospital. To reduce selection bias, a systematic sampling method was employed, whereby every third consecutive woman with osteoporosis who presented to the outpatient clinics during the data collection period was invited to participate in the study.

You may qualify if:

• Female patients aged 50 to 85 years. Diagnosed with osteoporosis (based on clinical evaluation and prior diagnosis). Able to understand and complete the study questionnaire (adequate cognitive function).
• Willing and able to provide informed consent and voluntarily participate in the study.

You may not qualify if:

• Presence of severe medical conditions that may interfere with participation, including:
• Severe cardiac diseases (e.g., advanced heart failure). Severe pulmonary diseases (e.g., advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).
• Advanced-stage cancer or other life-limiting illnesses. Cognitive impairment preventing understanding or completion of the questionnaire.
• Participation in another clinical or interventional study at the same time. Recent significant trauma (physical or psychological) that may interfere with study participation.
• Individuals who cannot understand the study goals and risks, or who refuse informed consent.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Antalya Training and Research Hospital: lead

Study Sites (2)

Antalya City Hospital

Antalya, 07080, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Antalya Anatolia Hospital

Antalya, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Related Publications (3)

• Sasaki R, Yunoki T, Nakano Y, Fukui Y, Takemoto M, Morihara R, Abe K, Yamashita T. Actual Telemedicine Needs of Japanese Patients with Neurological Disorders in the COVID-19 Pandemic. Intern Med. 2023 Feb 1;62(3):365-371. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.9702-22. Epub 2022 Nov 23.

  PMID: 36418105 BACKGROUND

• Palacios S, Neyro JL, Fernandez de Cabo S, Chaves J, Rejas J. Impact of osteoporosis and bone fracture on health-related quality of life in postmenopausal women. Climacteric. 2014 Feb;17(1):60-70. doi: 10.3109/13697137.2013.808182. Epub 2013 Jul 30.

  PMID: 23710562 BACKGROUND

• Sood S, Mbarika V, Jugoo S, Dookhy R, Doarn CR, Prakash N, Merrell RC. What is telemedicine? A collection of 104 peer-reviewed perspectives and theoretical underpinnings. Telemed J E Health. 2007 Oct;13(5):573-90. doi: 10.1089/tmj.2006.0073.

  PMID: 17999619 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Osteoporosis

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Bone Diseases, Metabolic; Bone Diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Metabolic Diseases; Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases

Study Officials

• Selkin Yilmaz Muluk, MD

  Antalya City Hospital

  STUDY CHAIR

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: OTHER
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER GOV
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: specialist physician

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 28, 2025
• First Posted: May 13, 2025
• Study Start: February 1, 2025
• Primary Completion: May 1, 2025
• Study Completion: May 9, 2025
• Last Updated: May 25, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-05

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Time Frame: IPD will be available from six months after publication to researchers who provide a methodologically sound proposal. Data will be available for a period of one year after publication. Supporting information such as the study protocol and ICF can also be shared upon reasonable request. Data sharing requests should be directed to the corresponding author.
• Access Criteria: Access to anonymized IPD and supporting documents will be granted to researchers with a valid scientific proposal that addresses a related research question. Interested researchers must submit a formal request to the corresponding author, including a description of the proposed research, ethical approval (if applicable), and a data use agreement. Data will be shared in anonymized format to protect participant confidentiality.

Locations

TU (2)