Health Information Technology (HIT) can enable patient-centered care through the use of electronic interchange of health information from home to the medical office and back to home, with the aim of improving the quality of care. Hypertension represents an ideal condition to test this model of patient centered e-health enabled care since this condition is common, largely cared for by primary care physicians, and when uncontrolled is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. We propose to study the feasibility and acceptability of a 4-component e-health blood pressure control program which includes: 1) a personal health record (PHR);2) home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM) device integrated into the PHR;3) a BP self management web portal and 4) use of a trained patient navigator (i.e., a community health worker). We hypothesize that, relative to HBPM alone, this 4-component program will increase patient activation, collaborative self-management care activities, and medication adherence;reduce clinical inertia;and improve BP control. The goal of this project is to obtain the necessary pilot data to design a robust randomized practical clinical trial of the e-health blood pressure control program for future implementation.

Public Health Relevance

We propose to study the feasibility and acceptability of a 4-component e-health blood pressure control program which includes: 1) a personal health record (PHR);2) home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM) device integrated into the PHR;3) a BP self management web portal and 4) use of a trained patient navigator (i.e., a community health worker).

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
Type
Exploratory/Developmental Grants (R21)
Project #
1R21HS018238-01
Application #
7774101
Study Section
Health Care Quality and Effectiveness Research (HQER)
Program Officer
Rosenthal, Vera
Project Start
2009-09-30
Project End
2011-09-29
Budget Start
2009-09-30
Budget End
2010-09-29
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2009
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island
Department
Type
DUNS #
069852580
City
Pawtucket
State
RI
Country
United States
Zip Code
02860
Ahern, David K; Stinson, Lynda J; Uebelacker, Lisa A et al. (2012) E-health blood pressure control program. J Med Pract Manage 28:91-100
Eaton, Charles B; Parker, Donna R; Craft, Jason et al. (2009) Using e-health to improve cholesterol management in primary care practice. J Med Pract Manage 24:224-30