Underlying Rationale and Approach to Treat Hypertension in Adolescents by Physicians of Different Specialty

To describe the underlying clinical decision-making rationale among general pediatricians, family physicians, pediatric cardiologists and pediatric nephrologists in their approach to an adolescent with hypertension.

We conducted semi-structured phone interviews with a convenience sample of physicians from the above-mentioned 4 specialties. Each participant was asked to "think aloud" regarding their approach to a hypothetical patient - 12 year old boy with persistent hypertension for 6 months. Standardized open-ended questions about potential factors that could affect physicians' diagnosis and treatment strategies (e.g., patient age) were used. Interviews were audio-recorded; transcribed verbatim; transcripts were independently coded by 2 investigators; emergent themes identified and inter-coder agreement achieved. Thematic analysis was performed based on grounded theory.

Nineteen participants included 5 general pediatricians, 5 pediatric cardiologists, 5 pediatric nephrologists and 4 family physicians. Five themes emerged: 1) Accuracy of blood pressure measurement and hypertension diagnosis, 2) Shift in the epidemiology of pediatric hypertension from secondary to primary hypertension, 3) Patient characteristics considered in the decision to initiate workup, 4) Obesity-centered choice of diagnostic tests and lifestyle modifications, and 5) Variable threshold for initiating antihypertensive pharmacotherapy vs. referral to hypertension specialists.

There is variation across primary care and specialty physicians who provide care for children and adolescents with hypertension. Key areas of variability include the willingness to initiate antihypertensive medications, the use of diagnostic tests (e.g., ambulatory blood pressure monitoring), and the perceived need for specialty referral. Further study is needed to assess whether different treatment paradigms result in differential patient outcomes.