Team Management of High Blood Pressure

BACKGROUND: The Healthy People 2010 target calls for controlled BP in 50% of the 50 million Americans with hypertension. BP is currently controlled in only 27% of the population. These population figures are in contrast to data from clinical trials (efficacy) in which BP has been controlled in 70 to 80% of study participants. Poor BP control exists in spite of six sets of guidelines generated over the last 30 years in the United States. While there are many causes for poor control, several studies have found that physicians are frequently satisfied with uncontrolled BPs. Numerous strategies exist to assist physicians with achieving better BP control, but a consistent, effective approach to solving the problem has not been found. DESIGN NARRATIVE: The objective of this study is to test whether BP control can be improved by physician education and feedback provided through the development of physician/pharmacist collaborative teams. The rationale for this proposal is generated from studies demonstrating that physician knowledge, quality of prescribing, and attainment of treatment goals can be improved when physicians collaborate with clinical pharmacists. Previous studies have suffered from insufficient sample size and controls and did not include a structured intervention. This study will address these gaps in knowledge by conducting a randomized, prospective study in 5 clinics (2 intervention and 3 control) with 27 physicians who care for 180 patients with uncontrolled BP. The structured intervention will involve clinical pharmacists who evaluate BP therapy and treatment strategies and make specific recommendations to the physician. Patients will be seen at baseline and at 2, 4, 6, 8, and 9 months, at which time random zero BP measurements will be performed. The specific aims of this study are (1) to determine if better BP control can be achieved by the use of physician/pharmacist teams that utilize physician education and feedback when compared to usual care, (2) to determine if improvements in BP control are related to an increase in physician knowledge of and adherence to BP guidelines when they are involved in physician/pharmacist teams, and (3) to determine if changes in BP control are associated with the level and scope of the physician/pharmacist relationships. This model utilizes an innovative system approach to improve BP control. This intervention has the potential to achieve marked improvements in BP control. This model could become one additional strategy to help achieve the BP goals for Healthy People 2010.