The Effect of Pharmacist-Initiated Home Blood Pressure Monitoring on Blood Pressure Control in Women
To evaluate the impact of home blood pressure monitoring when used in addition to pharmacist care, compared to usual care, in women with elevated blood pressure (BP). Randomized 1:1 two-arm controlled trial. Patients to be identified and screened by pharmacists. Patients with a BP \>140/90mmHg or \>130/80mmHg in those with diabetes will be invited to enroll in the study. Intervention: Patients will have BP assessed at baseline by the pharmacist, and they will receive a home blood pressure monitor in addition to counselling provided by the pharmacist. Patients will measure their BP at home for seven days every four weeks and input their results into a data management system. The pharmacist will follow up with the patient every 4 weeks to review their readings and at 24-weeks the patient will come into the pharmacy for a final follow-up and BP readings. The pharmacist will fax BP readings and suggestions for therapy modification to the patient's prescribing clinician. After 24-weeks patient care is returned to the prescribing clinician with no further pharmacist interventions except for a final post-trial follow-up at week-52 to review ongoing home BP monitor use and BP management by the prescribing clinician. Control: Patients will have BP assessed at baseline, 12-, and 24-weeks in the pharmacy by the pharmacist. Patients will not receive a home blood pressure monitor. Pharmacist will provide usual care, education and counselling on BP management. Pharmacists will fax BP readings to the patient's prescribing clinician but will not provide any suggestions for therapy modification. After 24-weeks patients will be offered a home blood pressure monitor with education on its use. They will then be offered to crossover to the intervention group for the next 24-weeks or have their care returned to their prescribing clinician with no pharmacist specific interventions except for a final post-trial follow-up at week-52 to review ongoing home BP monitor use and BP management by the prescribing clinician. Sample Size: Calculated sample size is 368 participants to achieve 80% power, with 184 patients in the intervention and control groups. Primary Outcome: Difference in change in Systolic Blood Pressure between the home blood pressure monitoring in addition to pharmacist care versus usual care group.
⁃ Patients will be included if they are female ≥18 years of age and meet one of the following criteria:
⁃ No established diagnosis and/or treatment for hypertension.
• Average of three AOBP readings at two pharmacy visits within a 2-week period:
• SBP ≥140 mmHg or DBP ≥90 mmHg
• SBP ≥130 mmHg or DBP ≥80 mmHg if they have diabetes
⁃ Established diagnosis or currently on treatment for hypertension.
• Average of three AOBP readings from one pharmacy visit:
• SBP ≥140mmHg or DBP ≥90mmHg
• SBP ≥130mmHg or DBP ≥80mmHg if they have diabetes