Economic evaluation of a Swedish medical care program for hypertension

A Hypertension Care Program, developed in cooperation between physicians and nurses in both primary care and at the hospitals in the area, was implemented in the Skaraborg County, Sweden in 1977. The Program, which provided for the establishment of hypertensive clinics at outpatient units and referral to medical clinics, was clearly aimed towards giving nurses increased responsibility for hypertensive care. The Skaraborg Program has been evaluated from several important perspectives. A terminal population study showed better blood pressure control among the hypertensive patients within the program area than within the control area. The economic evaluation indicates that hypertensive care according to the Program is somewhat less resource demanding than conventional hypertensive care. Since the medical effects of hypertensive care were improved without increased demand for resources, the structured Care Program was more cost-effective than conventional care.