Background Longitudinal hypertension control prevents heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular diseases. However, 49% of patients in German family medicine practices do not reach blood pressure (BP) targets (< 140/90 mmHg). Drawing on successful international approaches, the PIA study introduces the PIA information and communication technology system (PIA-ICT) for hypertension management in primary care. The PIA-ICT comprises the PIA-App for patients and the PIA practice management center for practices. Case management includes electronic communication with patients, recall, and stepwise medication adjustments following guidelines. The system supports a physician-supervised delegation model to practice assistants. General practitioners are qualified by eLearning. Patients learn how to obtain reliable BP readings, which they communicate to the practice using the PIA-App. Methods The effectiveness of the PIA-Intervention is evaluated in a cluster-randomized study with 60 practices, 120 practice assistants, and 1020 patients. Patients in the intervention group receive the PIA-Intervention; the control group receives usual care. The primary outcome is the BP control rate (BP < 140/90 mmHg) after 12 months. Using a mixed methods approach, secondary outcomes address the acceptance on behalf of physicians, practice assistants, and patients. This includes an evaluation of the delegation model. Discussion It is hypothesized that the PIA-Intervention will improve the quality of BP care. Perspectively, it may constitute an important health service model for primary care in Germany. Trial registration German Clinical Trials Register DRKS00012680. Registered on May 10, 2019

Background: Family practices constitute an important learning environment for medical students. However, teaching situations markedly vary between practices, and students frequently find rotations underwhelming. Especially, students' active participation in patient care varies profoundly, although it has a significant impact on students' interest in primary care careers. To standardize and improve learning situations in practices, we developed the so-called 'Toolbox Family Medicine (TFM)' using the concept of entrustable professional activities. It provides standardized learning content appropriate for students' levels and allows teaching adaptable to actual practice conditions. Methods: Using a controlled trial with a waiting list control arm, we will evaluate the effectiveness of the toolbox on students' learning satisfaction. A total of 94 students will be allocated 1:1 to intervention and control practices. The teaching concept 'Toolbox Family Medicine (TFM)' comprises a didactic workshop for supervising physicians and a toolbox with practice-specific tasks for medical students. The primary outcome is students' overall satisfaction with their learning progress after the rotation. Secondary outcomes include the kind and number of tasks performed, the entrusted level per task, the feasibility of implementing the toolbox in actual practice settings, and students' motivation to pursue a career in primary care. Discussion: We assume an improvement in learning satisfaction with the intervention. The study will begin with the next practice rotations.