PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Deborah J. Cohen
AU  - Tamar Wyte-Lake
AU  - Shannon M. Canfield
AU  - Jennifer D. Hall
AU  - Linsey Steege
AU  - Nuha K. Wareg
AU  - Richelle J. Koopman
TI  - Impact of Home Blood Pressure Data Visualization on Hypertension Medical Decision Making in Primary Care
AID  - 10.1370/afm.2820
DP  - 2022 Jul 01
TA  - The Annals of Family Medicine
PG  - 305--311
VI  - 20
IP  - 4
4099  - http://www.annfammed.org/content/20/4/305.short
4100  - http://www.annfammed.org/content/20/4/305.full
SO  - Ann Fam Med2022 Jul 01; 20
AB  - PURPOSE Evidence shows the value of home blood pressure (BP) monitoring in hypertension management. Questions exist about how to effectively incorporate these readings into BP follow-up visits. We developed and implemented a tool that combines clinical and home BP readings into an electronic health record (EHR)-integrated visualization tool. We examined how this tool was used during primary care visits and its effect on physician-patient communication and decision making about hypertension management, comparing it with home BP readings on paper.METHODS We video recorded the hypertension follow-up visits of 73 patients with 15 primary care physicians between July 2018 and April 2019. During visits, physicians reviewed home BP readings with patients, either directly from paper or as entered into the EHR visualization tool. We used conversation analysis to analyze the recordings.RESULTS Home BP readings were viewed on paper for 26 patients and in the visualization tool for 47 patients. Access to home BP readings during hypertension management visits, regardless of viewing mode, positioned the physician and patient to assess BP management and make decisions about treatment modification, if needed. Length of BP discussion with the visualization tool was similar to or shorter than that with paper. Advantages of the visualization tool included ease of use, and enhanced and faster sense making and decision making. Successful use of the tool required patients’ ability to obtain their BP readings and enter them into the EHR via a portal, and an examination room configuration that allowed for screen sharing.CONCLUSIONS Reviewing home BP readings using a visualization tool is feasible and enhances sense making and patient engagement in decision making. Practices and their patients need appropriate infrastructure to realize these benefits.