L007: Physician beliefs regarding the usefulness of self-monitoring of blood pressure in an academic family practice center

• Published in: American journal of hypertension 2000-04, Vol.13 (S2), p.297A-297A
• Main Authors: Cheng, C., Studdiford, J.S., Diamond, J.J., Sen, S., Chambers, C.V., Trapani, L., Perkel, R.L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: attitudes; Home blood pressure monitor; patients; physicians
• ISSN: 0895-7061; 1941-7225
• DOI: 10.1016/S0895-7061(00)01074-8

Patient self-monitoring of blood pressure (SMBP) may result in improved identification and control of hypertension. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) and SMBP, compared to office-based blood pressure measurements, seem to correlate better with the presence of left ventricular hypertrophy and other target organ damage resulting from hypertension. For currently unknown reasons, SMBP is infrequently recommended by primary care providers (PCPs). We conducted this study to assess physician-perceived barriers to acceptance of SMBP. We created a five point Likert-scale questionnaire of twelve items regarding usefulness and attractiveness of SMBP. Each physician completed the written questionnaire individually. In addition to demographic information (age, sex, years in practice), we asked questions about attitudes towards SMBP. All 51 providers in an urban academic family practice center completed the survey. Physician ages ranged from 25 to 72. Fifty-nine percent of the providers were female; approximately half were residents. Responses were clustered using principal components analysis and varimax rotation. Overall, opinions did not vary among physicians of different ages, years in practice, or gender. Four key beliefs emerged: SMBP could be practical, economical, problematic, and could assist in compliance.