Regionalization
Even though the cases of fragility fracture cases will increase across the world, this phenomenon will be unequal. The global FFN believes that activists in each country will be capable of mobilizing all the resources necessary to provide these patients with appropriate care. This depends on the professional training and public policy for the development of specialized programs and services for all phases of management of patients with fragility fractures.
The actions of this multidisciplinary network of activists in each country (as is the case of the Brazil FFN) are:
- To have a singular voice to persuade public policymakers.
- To produce recommendation manuals that are consensus-based, determining standards for the appropriate management of patients, using the best available research evidence, and proposing means to gauge results.
- To expand training programs that can construct a multidisciplinary workforce capable of providing evidence-based practice on a large scale.
The national network of activist professionals is essentially multidisciplinary, as is the care offered to these patients. Formed by:
- Orthopedists: they are absolutely essential, since the work of the orthopedist is on the front line of service for the majority of patients suffering from fragility fractures. Without the involvement of these professionals, few changes will be realized.
- Geriatrics: the need to recognize that patients with fragility fractures are mostly frail elderly and in need of a comprehensive approach. If geriatrics are not available in sufficient numbers, it is necessary to train general practitioners.
- Physiatrists who are involved in the rehabilitation process of these patients.
- Endocrinologists and rheumatologists who treat osteoporosis.
- Nurses, physiotherapists, nutritionists who are essential for the proper treatment of these patients across all phases of care, which includes preparing the care transitions and giving support to the family caregivers or professionals.