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BACKGROUND: Self-monitoring of blood pressure is common but how telemonitoring with a mobile healthcare (mHealth) solution in the management of hypertension can be implemented by patients and healthcare professionals (HCPs) is currently unclear. AIM: Evaluation of facilitators and barriers to self- and telemonitoring interventions for hypertension within the Telemonitoring and Self-monitoring in Hypertension (TASMINH4) trial. DESIGN AND SETTING: An embedded process evaluation of the TASMINH4 randomised controlled trial (RCT), in the West Midlands, in UK primary care, conducted between March 2015 and September 2016. METHOD: A total of 40 participants comprising 23 patients were randomised to one of two arms: mHealth (self-monitoring by free text/short message service [SMS]) and self-monitoring without mHealth (self-monitoring using paper diaries). There were also15 healthcare professionals (HCPs) and two patient caregivers. RESULTS: Four key implementation priority areas concerned: acceptability of self- and telemonitoring to patients and HCPs; managing data; communication; and integrating self-monitoring into hypertension management (structured care). Structured home monitoring engaged and empowered patients to self-monitor regardless of the use of mHealth, whereas telemonitoring potentially facilitated more rapid communication between HCPs and patients. Paper-based recording integrated better into current workflows but required additional staff input. CONCLUSION: Although telemonitoring by mHealth facilitates easier communication and convenience, the realities of current UK general practice meant that a paper-based approach to self-monitoring could be integrated into existing workflows with greater ease. Self-monitoring should be offered to all patients with hypertension. Telemonitoring appears to give additional benefits to practices over and above self-monitoring but both need to be offered to ensure generalisability.

Original publication

DOI

10.3399/bjgp19X704585

Type

Journal article

Journal

Br J Gen Pract

Publication Date

09/2019

Volume

69

Pages

e612 - e620

Keywords

blood pressure, hypertension, qualitative research, Antihypertensive Agents, Attitude of Health Personnel, Blood Pressure Determination, Female, Humans, Hypertension, Male, Patient Acceptance of Health Care, Primary Health Care, Qualitative Research, Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic, Self Care, Telemedicine, Text Messaging, United Kingdom