Elderly woman with osteoporosis using a phone surrounded by healthy bone structures.

Fracture After 65? How a Phone Call Could Save Your Bones

Beau Callahan in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"A new study reveals how targeted pharmacist interventions can significantly improve osteoporosis management in older women, potentially preventing future fractures and reducing healthcare costs."

Osteoporosis-related fractures pose a significant economic burden on the U.S. healthcare system, often stemming from previously unaddressed bone health issues. After a fracture, appropriate osteoporosis management is essential, yet it's a gap in care that's been challenging to close, as highlighted by low ratings on related quality measures.

While initiatives exist to improve post-fracture care, a recent study dives into the effectiveness of a pharmacist-led telephone outreach program aimed at elderly women who have experienced a fracture. This research explores whether proactive communication can bridge the gap in osteoporosis management.

The study specifically looks at the impact of these interventions on osteoporosis management among women aged 66 and older who recently sustained fractures. By comparing different outreach strategies, the researchers aimed to identify the most effective method for ensuring these women receive the necessary care to prevent future fractures.

Can a Phone Call Really Make a Difference in Bone Health?

Elderly woman with osteoporosis using a phone surrounded by healthy bone structures.

The study, conducted across a large nationwide managed care population, randomized women into three different intervention groups after they experienced a fracture:

The core of the intervention centered on:

Group 1: Received standard educational materials via mail, along with a notification sent to their healthcare provider.
Group 2: Received the standard materials, plus a direct phone call from a pharmacist to discuss osteoporosis management.
Group 3: Received the standard materials, and their healthcare providers were contacted by a pharmacist with recommendations for osteoporosis therapy and/or bone mineral density (BMD) testing.

The results indicated that contacting providers directly led to a significant improvement in osteoporosis management. Specifically, 13% of women in the provider-contacted group received appropriate care, compared to 10.3% in the patient-contacted group and 9.1% in the standard education group. This suggests that a pharmacist's recommendation to a provider carries more weight than simply educating the patient.

The Future of Fracture Prevention: Targeted Interventions

This study highlights the potential of targeted interventions in improving osteoporosis management and preventing future fractures. By focusing on direct communication with healthcare providers, pharmacists can play a crucial role in ensuring that elderly women receive the necessary care.

While the study showed that contacting providers was more effective than contacting patients directly, it also acknowledges some limitations. For instance, a significant portion of patients were excluded due to incomplete contact information, and there may have been some cross-contamination between study groups. Further research is needed to address these limitations and explore other potential interventions.

Despite these limitations, the study offers valuable insights into how healthcare providers can improve osteoporosis management and reduce the burden of fractures. By leveraging the expertise of pharmacists and focusing on direct communication with providers, we can ensure that more elderly women receive the care they need to maintain their bone health and prevent future fractures.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.18553/jmcp.2015.21.9.803, Alternate LINK

Title: Evaluation Of A Nationwide Pharmacist-Led Phone Outreach Program To Improve Osteoporosis Management In Older Women With Recently Sustained Fractures

Subject: Health Policy

Journal: Journal of Managed Care & Specialty Pharmacy

Publisher: Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy

Authors: Luke S. Tso, Danmy Loi, David G. Mosley, David Yi, Karen M. Stockl, Heidi C. Lew, Brian K. Solow

Published: 2015-09-01

Everything You Need To Know

How did contacting healthcare providers impact osteoporosis management after a fracture?

The study revealed that contacting healthcare providers directly with recommendations for osteoporosis therapy and/or bone mineral density (BMD) testing led to the most significant improvement. Specifically, a higher percentage of women in the provider-contacted group received appropriate care compared to the patient-contacted and standard education groups. This suggests that a pharmacist's recommendation to a provider is more impactful than simply educating the patient or sending educational materials.

Who was the focus of the interventions designed to improve bone health?

The study focused on women aged 66 and older who had recently experienced a fracture. These women were randomized into three groups: one receiving standard educational materials, another receiving materials plus a phone call from a pharmacist, and a third where their healthcare providers were contacted by a pharmacist with recommendations for osteoporosis therapy and/or bone mineral density (BMD) testing. This targeted approach allowed researchers to compare the effectiveness of different intervention strategies.

What was the phone call intervention designed to achieve?

The phone call intervention led by pharmacists focused on improving osteoporosis management after a fracture. Pharmacists either contacted the patients directly to discuss osteoporosis management or contacted their healthcare providers to recommend osteoporosis therapy and/or bone mineral density (BMD) testing. The goal was to ensure that women received the necessary care to prevent future fractures and improve bone health.

What are the implications of this study on future bone health interventions?

This study underscores the importance of targeted interventions, particularly pharmacist-led communication with healthcare providers, in improving osteoporosis management and preventing future fractures. It suggests that proactive communication and recommendations from pharmacists can significantly enhance the care elderly women receive after a fracture. This approach can help bridge the gap in post-fracture osteoporosis management and reduce the economic burden associated with osteoporosis-related fractures.

How do osteoporosis interventions reduce the economic burden on the U.S. healthcare system?

Osteoporosis-related fractures place a substantial financial strain on the U.S. healthcare system due to unaddressed bone health issues. By implementing targeted interventions, such as pharmacist-led telephone outreach, we can improve osteoporosis management after a fracture. These measures can lead to fewer subsequent fractures, and reduced healthcare costs. The pharmacist's role becomes crucial in bridging gaps in post-fracture care, which can have long-term benefits for both patients and the healthcare system.