Optimizing adherence to hypertension treatment through a mobile phone-based self-report system

• Nearly a third of all adults treated for hypertension have uncontrolled blood pressure (BP). Poor adherence to prescribed antihypertensive medications has been identified as one of the major contributors to uncontrolled BP. As individuals perform their own cost-benefit analyses in choosing to take medications as prescribed, a major challenge for healthcare is to help and support them in making informed decisions. Providing direct and personal feedback about how their medication and lifestyle behaviors affect their BP, hypertension-related symptoms and general wellbeing may help in this endeavour. The overall aim of our research program is to design and examine if a mobile phone-based self-report system, in combination with internet feedback can improve treatment and contribute to increased adherence, and in turn alleviate symptoms and improve wellbeing. Focus group interviews with persons with hypertension, as well as physicians, nurses and pharmacists were conducted to ascertain significant determinants of adherence. Both hypertensive persons and health providers considered regular monitoring of BP and symptoms to be of critical importance. Based on the interviews, a brief protocol was developed for mobile phone-based self-report of home-measured BP, medication intake, symptoms, lifestyle behaviors, etc. An internet graphical feedback system was designed to enable both the hypertensive persons and health providers to freely explore relationships of BP and hypertension symptoms with medication intake, lifestyle behaviors, etc. The value of this system in improving adherence is currently being evaluated in a pilot study.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Omvårdnad (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Nursing (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Hypertension Adherence mobile phone self-report system Person-centred care

Publikations- och innehållstyp

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