[Assessment at distance of a self-measurement of blood pressure education program: The PEA]

Abstract

Current recommendations advocate self-measurement of blood pressure (SMBP) for the diagnosis and monitoring of high blood pressure (HBP). The "PEA" is an education program of the HTA GWAD network. Its mission is to train hypertensive patients with SMBP. The objective of this study is to evaluate between 6 months to 1 year after the efficiency of this program on the theoretical and practical knowledge of patients, as well as their behavior towards hypertension. Hundred and twenty patients were included in the study. In an interview, their knowledge was assessed using a questionnaire. The acquisition of the technique, reading and figures transcription, purchase of a SMBP device were also evaluated. The average questionnaire score was 5.7/13 (σ=2.7) before the educational session, 9.5/13 (σ=1.9) 1 week after the educational session. This improvement persisted over time with 8.9/13 (σ=2.9) correct answers 6 months to 1 year later. Exactly 73.3% (n=88/120) had a self-measurement device. Among them, 44.3% (n=39/88) practiced SMBP before medical consultations and 10% systematically did it before each medical consultation. A number of 84.2% (n=101/120) mastered the technique and 76.7% (n=92/120) of patients knew how to transcribe figures. Reading and understanding figures were acquired by 61.7% (n=74/120) of patients. A high level of education was correlated with a high level of practice. PEA is a sustainable solid and stable education program. However, the practice of SMBP is not yet systematic and remains to be encouraged in some patients. Given this situation, the network offers improvements in its program: highlighting of objectives, calendar reminder, "coaching" nurse.

Keywords: Automesure de la pression artérielle; Evaluation; Healthy people program; Hypertension; Hypertension artérielle; Patient education as topic; Program; Self measurement of blood pressure; Éducation pour la santé; Évaluation de programme.