Improving follow-up among hypertensive patients using a health belief model intervention

Seventy-two hypertensive patients visiting an emergency department (ED) were randomized to one of four study groups to test the effect on compliance of a health belief model (HBM) intervention: a control group, a group receiving an HBM clinical intervention in the ED, a group receiving an HBM telephone call two days after the ED visit, and a combination clinical plus telephone intervention. Patients receiving any HBM intervention were 50% more likely to make, and 47% more likely to keep, a follow-up referral appointment than control group patients.