Implementation of a web-based tool for patient medication self-management: the Medication Self-titration Evaluation Programme (Med-STEP) for blood pressure control

Source: Informatics in Primary Care Area: Evidence > Medicines Management > References Background: Informatics tools may help support hypertension management. Objective: To design, implement and evaluate a web-based system for patient antihypertensive medication self-titration. Methods: Study stages included: six focus groups (50 patients) to identify barriers/facilitators to patient medication self-titration, software design informed by qualitative analysis of focus group responses and a 6-month single-arm pilot study (20 patients) to assess implementation feasibility. Results: Focus groups emphasised patient need to feel confident that their own primary care providers were directly involved and approved of the titration protocol.  Physicians required 3.3 +/- 2.8 minutes/patient to create individualised 6-step medication pathways for once-monthly blood pressure evaluations.  Pilot participants (mean age of 51.5 +/- 11 years, 45% women, mean baseline blood pressure 139/84 +/- 12.2/7.5 mm Hg) had five medication increases, two ...
Source: NeLM - Cardiovascular Medicine - Category: Cardiology Source Type: news