Remote Monitoring and Social Support for Hypertension Management

Remote Monitoring and Enhanced Social Support for Hypertension Management

A 3-arm randomized pilot trial aimed at comparing the effectiveness of different remote approaches to improving blood pressure (BP) control.

The investigators plan to leverage the Way to Health (WTH) platform to develop and evaluate a new HTN service-delivery model that is integrated with routine clinical care at Penn Family Care (PFC), an academic family medicine practice in West Philadelphia. Among patients with poorly controlled HTN:

1. The investigators will assess the effects of monitoring blood pressure and medication adherence with feedback to the patient and to the clinical practice, as needed if out of control.
2. The investigators will also compare the impact of providing feedback to a social support partner with facilitated cheerleading.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Between 18 and 75 years old with HTN (ICD-10 code I10)
• Has had at least two office visits at Penn Family Care (PFC) within the past 12 months (at time of chart review), with at least two of the visits with BP readings exceeding HTN guidelines, including the last visit (150/90 or 140/90 if ages 21-59 yrs with CKD or diabetes)
• Must have a cellular phone with texting capabilities
• Must be prescribed at least one medication for hypertension

Exclusion Criteria:

• Has metastatic (Stage IV) blood or solid tumor cancer
• Has end stage renal disease
• Has congestive heart failure
• Has dementia
• Has liver cirrhosis