The cost-effectiveness of telephone vs clinic counseling for hypertensive patients: a pilot study

The cost-effectiveness of counseling by telephone and by clinic visit contacts were compared in 40 hypertensive patients each of whom received counseling and reinforcement every three weeks for six months regarding diet, exercise, smoking, and coping with stress. Blood pressure declined significantly in both counseling groups (N: 10 each) but not in a control group (N: 20). The cost per patient under control was $82 for the clinic counseling and $39 for the telephone counseling strategy, suggesting that telephone counseling was a cost-effective technique.