Evaluating the Effectiveness of a Patient-Centered, Nonphysician Led Self-Monitoring Blood Pressure Program in a Rural Federally Qualified Health Center.

Abstract

Context: Uncontrolled hypertension can lead to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, myocardial infarction, stroke, or death. Self-monitoring blood pressure (SMBP) programs have been associated with blood pressure (BP) reduction, particularly among rural, minority, and low-income individuals. There is limited literature about nonphysician SMBP programs.

Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of an SMBP program designed to engage nonphysician team members in hypertension management within a federally qualified health center (FQHC).

Design: Self-monitoring blood pressure program activities were implemented using a Plan, Do, Study, Act model. The University of Washington Health Promotion Research Center evaluated processes and patient-level outcomes in a mixed-methods design. Quantitative analysis examined clinical outcomes related to hypertension, and qualitative analysis relied on interviews with clinical staff examining program implementation, adoption, and sustainability.

Setting: Family Health Centers (FHCs), a FQHC located in rural Washington, serving medically underserved populations.

Participants: Two hundred five active SMBP patients out of 2600 adult patients (over 18 years old) who had a diagnosis of hypertension within the last 12 months.

Intervention: Patients with uncontrolled hypertension were given a BP cuff to log their daily BP. Patients met with community health workers (CHWs) and medical staff to review logs and set self-management goals over 3 to 4 months.

Main outcome measure: Controlled BP measurements and factors to implementation and sustainment.

Results: Facilitators to implementation included expanded telehealth reimbursement during the COVID-19 pandemic, integration of CHWs, and linguistically adapted resources. Barriers included a lack of reimbursement for nonphysician time and BP monitors. Quantitative results demonstrated an effort to reach minoritized populations but did not show an improvement in BP outcomes.

Conclusions: Family Health Center implemented an SMBP program adapted to meet the linguistic and social needs of their patients. The successful integration of CHWs and the need for reimbursement policies to support SMBP programs were key factors for implementation and sustainability.