GPs' perceptions of the role of DEXA scanning: an exploratory study.

Background: Current recommendation are that women with clinical indicators of low bone mineral density should be offered a DEXA (dual energy X-ray absorptiometer) scan to help assess the need for treatment, but little is known about GPs' attitudes towards DEXA scans.

Objective: Our aim was to explore GPs' beliefs about diagnosis and management of osteoporosis, including the role that DEXA scanning can play.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews with five GPs in the North Staffordshire area were used to explore how GPs make decisions about diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis, including the use of scans and the application of potential clinical risk factors to decisions about screening and treatment.

Results: The decision-making process about whether and who to scan is complex and was influenced by a range of factors including issues of diagnosis, treatment, patient pressure and 'external' factors such as practice protocol and the perceived local availability of scans.

Conclusions: GPs found it difficult to decide who and when to scan despite guidelines for primary care. Perceived local availability of DEXA scans is important and has implications for raising awareness.