Feasibility and Methodology of a Pilot Free Blood Pressure Monitoring and Follow-Up Program at Two Free Clinics

Georgios Mikos; Brian Yu; Jessica Balbin; Laisha Martinez-Reyes; Jonathan M. Tang; Brandon Nguyen Lieu; Edward Tran; Athena Xue; Jiwoo Lee; Neil Wary; Camryn Franke; Nicholas Panyanouvong; Melody J. Chaclan; Tony H. Chang; Crystal Chen; Michaela Y. Guo; Kelly Harvell; Rose Horan; Nicole A. Johnson; Audrey Kim; Eric Liu; Linda Liu; Pablo Nuñez-Perez; Madison Quig; Anushka Sanyal; Krishna Sharma; Iris Wang; Kelly Wang; Amy Filsoof; Mina Charon; Tamara Montacute; Baldeep Singh

doi:10.1177/21501319241278836

Journal of Primary Care & Community Health (Sep 2024)

Feasibility and Methodology of a Pilot Free Blood Pressure Monitoring and Follow-Up Program at Two Free Clinics

Georgios Mikos,
Brian Yu,
Jessica Balbin,
Laisha Martinez-Reyes,
Jonathan M. Tang,
Brandon Nguyen Lieu,
Edward Tran,
Athena Xue,
Jiwoo Lee,
Neil Wary,
Camryn Franke,
Nicholas Panyanouvong,
Melody J. Chaclan,
Tony H. Chang,
Crystal Chen,
Michaela Y. Guo,
Kelly Harvell,
Rose Horan,
Nicole A. Johnson,
Audrey Kim,
Eric Liu,
Linda Liu,
Pablo Nuñez-Perez,
Madison Quig,
Anushka Sanyal,
Krishna Sharma,
Iris Wang,
Kelly Wang,
Amy Filsoof,
Mina Charon,
Tamara Montacute,
Baldeep Singh

Affiliations

Georgios Mikos: School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
Brian Yu: School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
Jessica Balbin: School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
Laisha Martinez-Reyes: School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
Jonathan M. Tang: School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
Brandon Nguyen Lieu: School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
Edward Tran: School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
Athena Xue: School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
Jiwoo Lee: School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
Neil Wary: School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
Camryn Franke: School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
Nicholas Panyanouvong: School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
Melody J. Chaclan: School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
Tony H. Chang: School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
Crystal Chen: School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
Michaela Y. Guo: School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
Kelly Harvell: School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
Rose Horan: School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
Nicole A. Johnson: School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
Audrey Kim: School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
Eric Liu: School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
Linda Liu: School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
Pablo Nuñez-Perez: School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
Madison Quig: School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
Anushka Sanyal: School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
Krishna Sharma: School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
Iris Wang: School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
Kelly Wang: School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
Amy Filsoof: School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
Mina Charon: School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
Tamara Montacute: School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
Baldeep Singh: School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/21501319241278836
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 15

Abstract

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Background: Hypertension affects approximately 1 in 2 adults in the US. Home blood pressure (BP) monitoring programs are effective in the diagnosis and management of hypertension. Free clinics serve as an integral safety net for millions of uninsured and economically disadvantaged patients in the US. The feasibility and effects of a free home BP monitoring and follow-up program in a free clinic setting is not well characterized. Methods: This was a prospective study of the implementation of a pilot BP monitoring and follow-up program between March 2021 and August 2023 at 2 free clinics in the San Francisco Bay Area. A total of 78 hypertensive patients were enrolled in the program and given a free BP monitor. We surveyed via telephone the change in systolic and diastolic BPs and BP monitor use and comfort at 3 weeks. Volunteers in clinic roles involved in the BP monitoring program were surveyed to assess their time spent and perceptions of the program. Results: Of the 78 patients, 37 provided responses to the 3-week survey. A total of 36 of 37 (97%) patients reported using their BP monitor. A total of 35 patients reported using it at least once a week (95%), with the majority reporting at least four uses a week (68%). A total of 36 patients (97%) planned on continuing to use their BP monitor. At 3 weeks, the mean systolic and diastolic BP changed by −6.40 mmHg (95% CI, −10.8 to −2.01 mmHg; P = .00577) and −2.72 mmHg (95% CI, −5.62 to 0.188 mmHg; P = .0657), respectively. The time commitment for this program ranged from 130 ± 51 min for program leaders to 16 ± 14 min per week for patient-facing roles. All volunteer roles (patient-facing, phone follow-up, program leaders) expressed that they had a clear understanding of their responsibilities in the program (median 4 on Likert scale, IQR 3-5). Conclusion: Home BP monitoring and follow-up is feasible to implement in free clinics, resulting in high rates of patient engagement among respondents. Our findings suggest that home BP monitoring and follow-up programs may be beneficial in vulnerable patient populations.

Published in Journal of Primary Care & Community Health

ISSN: 2150-1319 (Print); 2150-1327 (Online)
Publisher: SAGE Publishing
Country of publisher: United States
LCC subjects: Medicine: Medicine (General): Computer applications to medicine. Medical informatics; Medicine: Public aspects of medicine
Website: http://journals.sagepub.com/home/jpc

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