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Physician-pharmacist comanagement of hypertension: a randomized, comparative trial
Jeff E Borenstein1, Geneen Graber, Emmanuel Saltiel
1Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Health System, Beverly Hills, California 90212, USA. jeff.borenstein@cshs.org
Insights
Physician-pharmacist comanagement significantly improved blood pressure control in patients with uncontrolled hypertension. This systematic approach also reduced healthcare costs compared to usual care.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Clinical Pharmacy
- Primary Care
Background:
- Uncontrolled hypertension remains a significant public health challenge.
- Effective management strategies are crucial for preventing cardiovascular complications.
- Current hypertension care models may not fully optimize patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of a physician-pharmacist comanagement (PPCM) model versus usual care (UC) for uncontrolled hypertension.
- To compare blood pressure reduction and control rates between PPCM and UC groups.
- To assess the impact of PPCM on healthcare visit costs.
Main Methods:
- Randomized controlled trial involving patients with uncontrolled hypertension.
- Intervention group received physician-pharmacist comanagement; control group received usual care.
- An evidence-based hypertension treatment algorithm guided the PPCM approach.
Main Results:
- Both groups showed significant blood pressure reduction, but PPCM yielded a greater systolic reduction (p < 0.01).
- A higher percentage of patients achieved blood pressure control in the PPCM group (60% vs 43%, p = 0.02).
- Average provider visit costs per patient were lower in the PPCM group ($160 vs $195, p = 0.02).
Conclusions:
- Evidence-based physician-pharmacist comanagement enhances blood pressure control in hypertensive patients.
- The PPCM model is a cost-effective strategy for managing uncontrolled hypertension.
- Systematic, team-based care improves patient outcomes and reduces healthcare expenditures.
Objective:
To compare the effectiveness of an evidence-based, systematic approach to hypertension care involving comanagement of patients by primary care physicians and clinical pharmacists versus usual care in reducing blood pressure in patients with uncontrolled hypertension.
Methods:
Patients in a staff model medical group with uncontrolled hypertension were randomized to either a usual care (UC) or a physician-pharmacist comanagement (PPCM) group. All physicians in the study received both group and individual education and participated in the development of an evidence-based hypertension treatment algorithm. Physicians were then given the names of their patients whose medical records documented elevated blood pressures (defined as systolic > or = 140 mm Hg and/or diastolic > or = 90 mm Hg for patients aged < 65 yrs, and systolic > or = 160 mm Hg and/or diastolic > or = 90 mm Hg for those aged > or = 65 yrs). Patients randomized to the UC group were managed by primary care physicians alone. Those randomized to the PPCM group were comanaged by their primary care physician and a clinical pharmacist, who provided patient education, made treatment recommendations, and provided follow-up. Blood pressure measurements, antihypertensive drugs, and visit costs/patient were obtained from medical records.
Results:
One hundred ninety-seven patients with uncontrolled hypertension participated in the study. Both PPCM and UC groups experienced significant reductions in blood pressure (systolic -22 and -11 mm Hg, respectively, p < 0.01; diastolic -7 and -8 mm Hg, respectively, p < 0.01). The reduction in systolic blood pressure was greater in the PPCM group after adjusting for differences in baseline blood pressure between the groups (p < 0.01). More patients achieved blood pressure control in the PPCM than in the UC group (60% vs 43%, p = 0.02). Average provider visit costs/patient were higher in the UC than the PPCM group ($195 vs $160, p = 0.02).
Conclusions:
An evidence-based, systematic approach using physician-pharmacist comanagement for patients with uncontrolled hypertension resulted in improved blood pressure control and reduced average visit costs/patient.