Are Community Health Center Patients Interested in Self-Measured Blood Pressure Monitoring (SMBP) – And Can They Do It?

Abstract

Introduction Self-measured blood pressure monitoring (SMBP) helps diagnose and manage hypertension from outside the clinic, which has implications for patient empowerment and outcomes, continuity of care, and resilience in care communities catering to vulnerable populations. Methods We instituted a protocol for SMBP among hypertensive patients at 9 community health centers in 3 states and administered questionnaires to patients before and after the protocol was instituted to assess knowledge and engagement with disease management, beliefs and attitudes towards, and experience doing SMBP. Questionnaires included 16 items designed to evaluate patient perceptions and beliefs about SMBP. These included a series of questions using a 5-point Likert scale, binary questions related to their perceived ability to comply with specific SMBP guidelines and open-ended questions to obtain descriptions of experiences with SMBP. Results The pre-questionnaire was completed by 478 patients and the post-questionnaire was completed by 372. Seventy-seven percent of respondents knew their ideal blood pressure and their engagement with blood pressure management increased significantly (p=0.0024) after completing the protocol. Additionally, 85% of respondents said that they had a positive experience doing SMBP. Open-ended responses revealed insight regarding why patients chose to do SMBP and factors patients appreciated about SMBP. Discussion When trained properly and supported, community health center patients are capable of and motivated to perform accurate SMBP. Our study provides evidence that health center patients can follow detailed SMBP protocols and monitor their own blood pressure from the safety of their homes, which is critical to their care continuum, particularly in days of a pandemic.

Perspectives and Experiences of Self-monitoring of Blood Pressure Among Patients With Hypertension: A Systematic Review of Qualitative Studies

“… 47 People with hypertension who self-monitor blood pressure felt more inclined to adopt lifestyle changes 48 and were confident in communicating their readings to clinicians. 49 However, other patients with hypertension felt confused about the utility of home blood pressure monitoring, particularly if they were not aware of how to interpret the results. 47 Previous work has also highlighted challenges including inaccuracy in self-monitoring blood pressure, 50 patients being unaware about targets, 49 or lack of training from clinicians.…”

“… 49 However, other patients with hypertension felt confused about the utility of home blood pressure monitoring, particularly if they were not aware of how to interpret the results. 47 Previous work has also highlighted challenges including inaccuracy in self-monitoring blood pressure, 50 patients being unaware about targets, 49 or lack of training from clinicians. 51 Our synthesis suggests that patients were more engaged and had a sense of achievement in taking control of their care, and felt reassured in being able to monitor blood pressure at home between clinical appointments.…”

Telehealth Blood Pressure Monitoring Models In Hypertensive Patients: A Scoping Review

“…So that the application of home telemonitoring to monitor and measure blood pressure during a pandemic is very potential (Tim APJII, 2021). In addition to the purpose of monitoring blood pressure, self-monitoring blood pressure can be an early detection tool for hypertension in the community (Roy et al, 2021).…”

“…It is necessary to conduct training and education related to the use of blood pressure detection devices as an important instrument in implementing telemonitoring blood pressure at home (Roy et al, 2021). The study conducted by Ringrose et al (2017) found that the blood pressure measurement tools owned by many patients were inaccurate to more than or equal to 5 mmHg.…”

“…Based on research conducted by Schwartz et al (2018) people who have done selfmonitoring for 12 months tend to continue these activities, because of the positive results obtained and their blood pressure being controlled (Roy et al, 2021). Another research conducted by Roy et al (2021) found that patients felt satisfied after doing telemonitoring because their blood pressure was better controlled and they understood hypertension better (Roy et al, 2021).…”