Evaluating Patient and Provider Experiences of Enrolling in a Remote Cardiovascular Health Program: A Qualitative...

Area of Science:

• Digital Health
• Cardiovascular Disease Management
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Remote health management programs offer innovative solutions for chronic conditions like hypertension.
• Implementation gaps exist, particularly concerning patient enrollment in virtual care programs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore patient and primary care physician attitudes toward enrollment in a remote hypertension management program.
• To identify key factors influencing enrollment and engagement in virtual hypertension care.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative analysis of structured interviews with patients and primary care physicians.
• Thematic analysis of data from 20 patients and 6 providers at Mass General Brigham.
• Selective recruitment of participants based on enrollment status in the remote hypertension program.

Main Results:

• Six key themes emerged: patient-care team connection, comfort with hybrid care, provider guidance for home monitoring, provider endorsement's role in enrollment, clear program structure, and acceptance of nonlicensed navigators.
• Strong patient-provider relationships and clear program communication are crucial for engagement.
• Provider endorsement is a significant factor in patient decisions to enroll.

Conclusions:

• Patient enrollment in remote hypertension management is influenced by provider relationships and program clarity.
• Addressing challenges in navigator training and communication is vital for program expansion.
• Optimizing these factors can improve patient outcomes in scalable hypertension care delivery.