Pharmacists using telemonitoring helped patients control their blood pressure more effectively than traditional physician care, according to a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Researchers divided a randomly selected group of 450 adults with high blood pressure receiving treatment at one of 16 clinics in an integrated health system in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minn., into two groups. The intervention group received blood pressure telemonitors that transmitted data to pharmacists who then adjusted their medications accordingly. The control group received standard office-based physician care.
At the end of 12 months, 71.2 percent of the patients undergoing telemonitoring had their blood pressure under control, compared to just 52.8 percent of the control group. The percentages remained almost unchanged at a six-month follow-up analysis.
More Articles on Telehealth:
Survey: 55% of ACOs Employ Remote Patient Monitoring, Yet Doubt Effectiveness
BCBS Louisiana to Offer Telehealth Benefit
Humana Launches CHF-Focused Telehealth Pilot in Ohio