Patient preferences for self-monitoring in hypertension - Version 1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Patient preferences for self-monitoring blood pressure in the management of hypertension in UK primary care - qualitative interview study.
IRAS ID
183702
Contact name
Benjamin R Fletcher
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Oxford
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 9 months, 1 days
Research summary
This study will investigate patient experiences of self-monitoring blood pressure (SMBP). Patients with hypertension (high blood pressure) with experience of self-monitoring will be recruited from two general practices in Oxfordshire, one urban and one rural.
Evidence from randomised trials has shown self-monitoring to be effective in achieving blood pressure reduction and better blood pressure control in patients with hypertension. For self-monitoring to achieve an effect on blood pressure, it is likely that regular monitoring initiates or supports behaviour change in patients (i.e. medication adherence, lifestyle change), the healthcare professionals managing their condition (i.e. overcoming clinical inertia), or both (i.e. facilitating discussion).
Patients with hypertension are increasingly using self-monitoring in everyday settings (estimated at 40% in the UK), however patients often do not communicate that they are doing so to their GP. This results in a wealth of potentially useful information from being used to guide the management of hypertension.
The current national Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines (updated in 2011) state that “the value of routinely using home BP monitoring devices has not been established: their appropriate use in primary care remains an issue for further research”. Research is needed to better understand: when patients choose to begin self-monitoring; how patients integrate SMBP into their daily lives; how they act based on the results; to what extent they communicate the results their GPs; and if there is any negative impact of self-monitoring. This study will use semi-structured interviews and qualitative analysis to address these topics. The results will contribute to: optimising how self-monitoring information is integrated into usual care; improving the clinical encounter for hypertension management discussion; and clarifying future guidance for the use of self-monitoring in the management of hypertension.REC name
HSC REC A
REC reference
15/NI/0199
Date of REC Opinion
15 Sep 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion