My research: a PhD student explains
Mette Rub忙k
The project investigates the effects of patient education for people living with osteoporosis, and how, why, for whom, and under what circumstances these programmes create change.
What is the title of your thesis?
Osteoporosis patient education in Danish municipalities: A multi-method evaluation.
At which department and/or research unit did you complete your PhD?
National Institute of Public Health.
Who was your principal supervisor?
First Teresa Holmberg and then Susan Andersen.
What question did you aim to answer with your thesis?
What is the effect of patient education for people living with osteoporosis, and how, why, for whom, and under what circumstances do these programmes create change?
What did you find?
The dissertation concludes, based on existing literature, that osteoporosis programmes can improve participants’ physical functioning, including mobility. However, no clear conclusions can be drawn regarding the effect in Danish municipalities specifically.
The dissertation also identifies the mechanisms that help explain how and why participants experience an effect. This is partly because they become more confident in being physically active and are able to relate to one another.
Finally, several contextual factors are identified as important for the effectiveness of the programmes, including participants meeting in group-based settings.
How did you do it?
The dissertation is based on a systematic review as well as a qualitative and a quantitative study using data from Danish municipalities. In the qualitative study, interviews and observations were conducted.
The quantitative study was an observational study based on questionnaire and register data.
How can your research be applied (in the clinic, society, etc.)?
The dissertation identifies key activities in osteoporosis programmes that can be used by municipalities and other institutions wishing to implement or revise such programmes. The identified mechanisms and effect parameters can also form the basis for future evaluations.
The dissertation further concludes that more studies are needed to investigate the effects of osteoporosis programmes.
Meet the researcher
Mette Rub忙k is affiliated with the Danish National Institute of Public Health.
Want to know more?
Learn more about research from the Danish National Institute of Public Health.
When did you defend/when will you defend your thesis?
Thursday 21 May 2026.