Veterans enrolled in the "Intervention-Veterans" arm received a copy of the NIA guide for "Talking with Your Doctor" [Informational Guide for Patients]. Just prior to their next scheduled visit an educator met with each Veteran in the intervention arm individually for 20-30 minutes to review the material in the pamphlet and develop a plan for enhancing communication about self-management of hypertension with their doctor [Educational Coaching]. To facilitate communication change, the educator assisted the patient in setting a goal to achieve during their visit. The educator also provided telephone follow-up within 24 hours to review satisfaction and effectiveness of the visit and assess barriers and facilitators to communicating about self-management.

Veterans enrolled in the "Control-Veterans" arm received a copy of the NIA guide for "Talking with Your Doctor" [Informational Guide for Patients]. This pamphlet was specifically developed for this purpose (updated in 2002). It has pictorials and is written at an 8th grade level.

Primary care providers randomly assigned to the "Intervention-Physicians" arm of this study received a copy of the Four Habits of Highly Effective Physicians [Monograph for Physicians]. The Four Habits provided practical evidence-based advice for improving patient-physician communication. Second, physicians participated in an audiotaped intensive 30 minute, one-on-one educational intervention with PI Frankel after their first set of visits from their three participating patients [Video-Assisted Coaching], but before seeing them for follow-ups. The main goal of this meeting was to review and discuss the analysis of the physician's videotaped visits using the Four Habits framework, with a particular focus on improving communication about self-management.

Veterans received a copy of the NIA guide for "Talking with Your Doctor". This pamphlet was specifically developed for this purpose (updated in 2002). It has pictorials and is written at an 8th grade level.

Veteran self-management of hypertension measured via the 13-item, (0-100 point range), Patient Activation Measure (PAM). Administered at baseline (1st visit) and after each additional follow-up visit during the next 12-months (+2 max). Rasch conversion changed raw scores to the PAM interval measure. Reported outcome is difference in mean PAM scores at baseline and during 12-month follow-up. If a participant had two PAM scores during the follow-up period, the average of the two was taken to calculate a combined follow-up score. Higher PAM scores represent higher levels of self-activation. Research on the PAM measure indicates that each point increase in PAM score correlates to a 2% decrease in hospitalization and a 2% increase in medication adherence. Ranges for Baseline PAM scores: Intervention = 46.1 (min) to 84.3 (max); Control = 43.2 (min) to 77 (max). Ranges for Follow-up PAM scores: Intervention = 48.4 (min) to 100 (max); Control = 45.1 (min) to 80.1 (max).

Veterans enrolled in the "Intervention-Veterans" arm received a copy of the NIA guide for "Talking with Your Doctor." Just prior to their next scheduled visit an educator met with each Veteran in the intervention arm individually for 20-30 minutes to review the material in the pamphlet and develop a plan for enhancing communication about self-management of hypertension with their doctor. To facilitate communication change, the educator assisted the patient in setting a goal to achieve during their visit. The educator also provided telephone follow-up within 24 hours to review satisfaction and effectiveness of the visit and assess barriers and facilitators to communicating about self-management.

Veteran self-management of hypertension measured via the 13-item, (0-100 point range), Patient Activation Measure (PAM). Administered at baseline (1st visit) and after each additional follow-up visit during the next 12-months (+2 max). Rasch conversion changed raw scores to the PAM interval measure. Reported outcome is difference in mean PAM scores at baseline and during 12-month follow-up. If a participant had two PAM scores during the follow-up period, the average of the two was taken to calculate a combined follow-up score. Higher PAM scores represent higher levels of self-activation. Research on the PAM measure indicates that each point increase in PAM score correlates to a 2% decrease in hospitalization and a 2% increase in medication adherence. Ranges for Baseline PAM scores: Intervention = 46.1 (min) to 84.3 (max); Control = 43.2 (min) to 77 (max). Ranges for Follow-up PAM scores: Intervention = 48.4 (min) to 100 (max); Control = 45.1 (min) to 80.1 (max).

Veterans participating in CHOICE study randomized to two arms: intervention or attention control. The 13-item Patient Activation Measure was administered at baseline and up to two additional times during the following 12 months. Rasch conversion of the raw PAM scores was performed to ensure the final scores were linear and interval measures.

Veterans enrolled in the intervention arm received a copy of the NIA guide for "Talking with Your Doctor." Just prior to their next scheduled visit an educator met with each Veteran in the intervention arm individually for 20-30 minutes to review the material in the pamphlet and develop a plan for enhancing communication about self-management of hypertension with their doctor. Additional information was provided on how to be an active participant in the health care encounter and how to communicate effectively to promote productive self-management. To facilitate communication change, the educator assisted the patient in setting a goal to achieve during their visit. The educator also provided telephone follow-up within 24 hours to review satisfaction and effectiveness of the visit and assess barriers and facilitators to communicating about self-management.