OSTEOPOROSIS
Insights and benefits of a fracture liaison service
A Fracture Liaison Service (FLS) is effective for improving the care gap in preventing secondary fracture among the elderly with a fragility fracture. This CME module expands upon a step-by-step approach to starting an FLS.

What will I learn in this module?
The size of the ageing population in South Africa continues to increase and it is expected that the current care gap in morbidity and mortality associated with fragility fractures will also have an impact on healthcare costs.
Fracture Liaison Service (FLS) is a recognised model that is effective for improving prevention of secondary fracture, including treatment of osteoporosis and falls assessment.
This CME module expands upon the core principles underpinning an FLS, the challenges and opportunities that may be encountered, and provides a step-by-step framework for starting an FLS.
About our expert Dr Kassim Javaid

Dr Kassim Javaid
Associate Professor
University Lecturer in Metabolic Bone Disease
Dr Javaid studied medicine at Charing Cross and Westminster Medical School and did his house jobs in London. He then finished a three-year SHO rotation in medicine at Southampton General Hospital followed by 8 months as a registrar before starting at the MRC Environmental Epidemiology Unit in October 2000.
His research areas are in epidemiology and adult metabolic bone disease focusing on vitamin D, osteoporosis, secondary fracture prevention and rare bone diseases.
Learning objectives
- The impact of fragility fractures on morbidity, mortality and healthcare costs
- An understanding of the aims and benefits of a Fracture Liaison Service (FLS)
- The challenges and opportunities that may be encountered while setting up an FLS
- Core principles of setting up an FLS.
Key learnings
- With regard to secondary fracture prevention in RSA, there is currently a big care gap
- A FLS is a recognised model that is effective for closing this care gap
- A step-by-step approach for starting an FLS
How is the module assessed?
There are 6 video chapters with 15 multiple-choice questions. The answers are marked automatically so you instantly know your score and if you have passed. You have 3 attempts to retry.

The National Osteoporosis Foundation of South Africa is a non-profit, voluntary health organisation dedicated to promoting lifelong bone health in South Africa. The content, opinions and statements made in this module are those of the presenter's healthcare professional and do not necessarily reflect the views of the sponsor or mediXeed