Brittle bones: ageing or threat of disease exploring women's cultural models of osteoporosis.

AIMS: To explore elderly Danish women's ideas about osteoporosis and the possible threat to health. The authors discuss the issue of risk interpretations in itself, using osteoporosis as a case. METHODS: A qualitative study based on material from focus-group discussions. Twenty-two 60- to 61-year-old healthy women were selected on the basis of questionnaire answers. Analysis was based on a meaning-centred approach. RESULTS: Comprehension of osteoporosis was mainly based on images representing various dimensions of osteoporosis. The women drew on experiences with relatives, friends, and health information. Physical appearance seemed to be the most common way of assessing those who had osteoporosis or who might have it in the future. Women's ideas about osteoporosis were influenced by two main, parallel stereotypes of knowledge based on models of ageing with bodily decay and the threat of a preventable disease. They seemed to vacillate, often integrating elements from both models in their comprehension. The scenarios for women with or liable to develop osteoporosis as a disease appeared to be founded on worst-case scenarios. CONCLUSION: It is suggested that health professionals pay greater attention to people's models and images of risk conditions and carefully decide which images they wish to promote. Health education regarding osteoporosis comprises an ethical obligation to avert the construction of the more extreme and anxiety-producing prototypes. This is especially important when informing individuals about risk and prevention and when decisions on screenings and other medical examinations are made.

[Is it time to reevaluate the entrance requirements for medical studies?]. / Tid for revurdering af adgangskravene til laegestudiet?

INTRODUCTION: Since 1960, the number of female medical students has risen and now amounts to about 60% of the total. During this period, the entrance requirements for medical studies have been changed, meaning that it is average A-level marks that qualify students for studying medicine (Quota 1 students). Some students whose A-level marks are unsatisfactory can be admitted anyhow, if they have had occupational experience (Quota 2 students). The aim of this article is to present some of the conditions that are of importance to the students' rate of finishing their medical studies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 1992 to 2002, four questionnaires were given to a cohort of medical students admitted to the university in summer 1992. The first questionnaire, the data from which are used in this article, was answered by 252 students (79%). Information about the graduation status of this group was extracted from the university database. RESULTS: The results showed that 49% of the 252 students were Quota 2 students and that these were on average somewhat older at time of admittance (22.3 years) than were Quota 1 students (20.3 years). More women (53%) than men were Quota 1 students. There was no difference between Quota 1 and 2 students as regarded the time spent on their studies and the percentage who graduated. Male students were significantly more successful in finishing their studies (75%) than were female students (61%). Furthermore, there was a majority of upper-class students, and these students, like the students with a background in natural science and those whose father had a university degree, had a high completion rate. CONCLUSION: The study does not show that there is a basis for abolishing the Quota 2 arrangement. Even if the differences are minor, it might lead to a reduction in the number of male students. Seen from the point of view of gender equality, that would not be desirable. The fact that so many students, particularly the female students, do not finish their studies should be further examined.