Utilizing Consumer Health Informatics to Support Management of Hypertension by Clinical Pharmacists in Primary Care

Utilizing Consumer Health Informatics to Support Management of Hypertension by Clinical Pharmacists in Primary Care

The purpose of this research study is to test the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of the use of a mobile pharmacist-led intervention that incorporates home BP monitoring and medication reminders with patients recruited from a primary care setting, as well as identify challenges and potential solutions to broader implementation of a mobile pharmacist-led home-based BP monitoring intervention in primary care clinics through key stakeholder interviews.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Have a smart phone compatible with mobile intervention
• Have been previously diagnosed with hypertension
• Have uncontrolled hypertension (systolic blood pressure > 140 and/or diastolic blood pressure > 90 on repeat measurement)
• Be under the care of a primary care physician at the recruitment clinic
• Be taking at least one antihypertensive medication
• Be English speaking

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients under the care of a clinical pharmacist for hypertension management, or under the care of a cardiologist
• Pregnant patients and anyone with the following unrelated, but serious medical conditions will also be excluded, as they may make blood pressure control difficult or necessitate frequent hospitalization: previous diagnosis of resistant hypertension; steroid dependent asthma or emphysema; cirrhosis or hepatic failure; stage C or D chronic heart failure; stage IV or V chronic kidney disease; and cancer (terminal or undergoing active chemotherapeutic or radiation therapy)
• Patients with other serious medical conditions (e.g., stroke, dementia) that may affect their ability to self-monitor blood pressure