Interpreting and acting upon home blood pressure readings: a qualitative study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Recent guidelines recognize the importance of home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM) as an adjunct to clinical measurements. We explored how people who have purchased and use a home blood pressure (BP) monitor make sense of, and act upon, readings and how they communicate with their doctor about the practice of home monitoring.

Methods

A qualitative study was designed and participants were purposively recruited from several areas in England, UK. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 18 users of home BP monitors. The transcribed data were thematically analysed.

Results

Interpretation of home BP readings is complex, and is often characterised by uncertainty. People seek to assess value normality using 'rules of thumb', and often aim to identi

SUBMITTER: Vasileiou K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3726339 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature