title: Increasing compliance. Patient-operated hypertension groups.
abstract: Compliance was compared in 52 previously noncompliant hypertensive patients randomly assigned for eight weeks to either a nurse-operated hypertension clinic (control) or a patient-operated hypertension group] (experimental). Control patients listened to audiotapes on hypertension and its management and met individually with a nurse who adjusted their drug regimens. Experimental patients were trained to take their own blood pressure (BP) and select their own drugs in a group program emphasizing informed self-help. After the eight-week training period and at two- and six-month follow-up visits, both groups had significantly lower BPs. Compared with control patients, experimental patients had lower diastolic BPs, better pill counts, and better attendance (all P < .05). This study suggests that training noncompliant patients in groups to manage their own hypertension may achieve better results than traditional management programs.
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D012648:Self Care / Q000523:psychology