Disparities Exist in Knowledge of Hip Fracture Compared With Stroke and Myocardial Infarction.

Abstract

Background: This study sought to answer the following questions: (1) Are there differences in knowledge on time to treatment (TTT) between stroke, myocardial infarction (MI), and hip fractures in the general population? (2) Are there differences in condition-specific knowledge across these conditions? (3) Are there underlying demographic factors that may contribute to differences in hip fracture-specific knowledge?

Materials and methods: This was a cross-sectional cohort analysis. Participants were acquired using an online survey distribution platform, Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk). Individuals older than 18 years with English fluency and literacy were included. A total of 913 participants who completed a survey with questions on TTT knowledge, condition-specific knowledge, history of hip fracture, and demographics were recruited.

Results: On comparing TTT knowledge, the MI mean score was 36.92% higher than that of hip fractures (P<.0001). On comparing condition-specific knowledge, the MI-specific mean score was 8.24% higher than that of hip fractures (P<.0001). Hip fracture knowledge was associated with demographic factors. Asian and Black participants and participants with Medicaid or Medicare as their primary insurance type were associated with significantly lower hip fracture knowledge.

Conclusion: Hip fracture knowledge was significantly lower than MI knowledge in the study population. Just as professional societies have invested resources in public education campaigns on the importance of TTT for stroke and MI, public education campaigns on the importance of TTT for hip fractures may support earlier TTT for populations vulnerable to delays (Asian and Black). [Orthopedics. 2024;47(6):377-383.].