Patient Education & Self-Management

One of the three key priorities identified by the Ontario Osteoporosis Strategy (OOS) is Patient Education & Self-management. With this priority, the goal of the Ontario Osteoporosis Strategy is to increase capacity of at-risk patients to understand and manage their fracture risk, by providing knowledge through a variety of tools & resources for themselves, families and informal caregivers.

OOS’s Patient Education and Self-Management priority aligns with Ontario’s Chronic Disease Prevention & Management (CDPM) Framework, which clearly identifies self-management as a key component of health care for all Ontarians. The CDPM model has proven effective in preventing and managing chronic diseases and contributing to better health and systems outcomes.

An individual’s role in managing their risk of fracture and subsequent fracture is critical. In keeping with self-management principles, OOS has integrated self-management strategies into many of their patient materials and presentations.

Self-management is the active participation of individuals in achieving their own best health and wellness. This involves gaining confidence, knowledge and skills to manage physical, social and emotional aspects of life, in partnership with health care teams and community supports.

With this priority, Ontario Osteoporosis Strategy aims to:

• Reduce the risk of fracture or subsequent fractures for at-risk patients, by improving clinical and functional health outcomes.
• Embed self-management principles and best-practice strategies in all its work.
• Improve care experience for people living with and at risk of osteoporosis and osteoporotic fractures.