High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a common health condition that can increase the risk of heart disease and other health problems. Researchers conducted a study to see if a virtual hypertension program could help lower blood pressure in patients.
Thirty-one patients were randomly assigned to a virtual collaborative care clinic (vCCC) or usual care for three months. In the vCCC group, trained clinical pharmacists remotely managed the patient's blood pressure using a blood pressure dashboard and virtual "visits" to monitor blood pressure, medication adherence, and side effects. The patient's blood pressure was also observed using a home blood pressure monitor.
After three months, the results showed that the average blood pressure decreased in the vCCC group but not in the usual care group. This suggests that the virtual program was effective in helping to lower blood pressure in the vCCC group. In addition, the patients in the vCCC group measured their blood pressure more frequently at home than the usual care group, showing that the virtual program encouraged better self-monitoring of blood pressure.
The virtual hypertension program was also well-received by patients and healthcare providers. Both patients and healthcare providers rated the program components positively, with average scores above a pre-specified benchmark. This indicates that the virtual program was acceptable and feasible for patients and healthcare providers. Some healthcare providers and pharmacists found the program helpful in remotely managing patients' blood pressure.