BACKGROUND: A crucial element in controlling blood pressure is non-pharmaceutical treatment. However, only a few studies specifically address the question of hypertensive patients' compliance with physicians' recommendations for a healthy lifestyle. OBJECTIVES: To explore factors associated with hypertensive patients' compliance with lifestyle recommendations regarding physical activity, smoking cessation and proper diet. METHODS: We performed a secondary data analysis of a representative sample of 1125 hypertensive patients in Israel's two largest health funds. Data were collected in 2002-2003 by telephone interviews using structured questionnaires. The response rate was 77%. Bivariate and multivariate analysis was conducted. RESULTS: About half of the hypertensive patients reported doing regular exercise and adhering to a special diet; 13% were smokers. About half reported receiving counseling on smoking cessation and diet and a third on physical exercise. A quarter reported receiving explanations regarding self-measurement of blood pressure and signs of deterioration. Multivariate analysis revealed that patients' beliefs about hypertension management, their knowledge on hypertension and its management, and physician counseling on a healthy lifestyle and self-care, have an independent effect on compliance with recommended lifestyle behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: The low counseling rates suggest that there may be a need to improve physicians' counseling skills so that they will be more confident and effective in delivering this service to their patients. A model based on educating both physicians and patients may contribute to improving the care of hypertensive patients.
BACKGROUND: A crucial element in controlling blood pressure is non-pharmaceutical treatment. However, only a few studies specifically address the question of hypertensivepatients' compliance with physicians' recommendations for a healthy lifestyle. OBJECTIVES: To explore factors associated with hypertensivepatients' compliance with lifestyle recommendations regarding physical activity, smoking cessation and proper diet. METHODS: We performed a secondary data analysis of a representative sample of 1125 hypertensivepatients in Israel's two largest health funds. Data were collected in 2002-2003 by telephone interviews using structured questionnaires. The response rate was 77%. Bivariate and multivariate analysis was conducted. RESULTS: About half of the hypertensivepatients reported doing regular exercise and adhering to a special diet; 13% were smokers. About half reported receiving counseling on smoking cessation and diet and a third on physical exercise. A quarter reported receiving explanations regarding self-measurement of blood pressure and signs of deterioration. Multivariate analysis revealed that patients' beliefs about hypertension management, their knowledge on hypertension and its management, and physician counseling on a healthy lifestyle and self-care, have an independent effect on compliance with recommended lifestyle behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: The low counseling rates suggest that there may be a need to improve physicians' counseling skills so that they will be more confident and effective in delivering this service to their patients. A model based on educating both physicians and patients may contribute to improving the care of hypertensivepatients.
Authors: Heather M Johnson; Andrea G Olson; Jamie N LaMantia; Amy J H Kind; Nancy Pandhi; Eneida A Mendonça; Mark Craven; Maureen A Smith Journal: J Gen Intern Med Date: 2014-11-06 Impact factor: 5.128
Authors: Suzanne A Ligthart; Karin D M van den Eerenbeemt; Jeanette Pols; Emma F van Bussel; Edo Richard; Eric P Moll van Charante Journal: Br J Gen Pract Date: 2015-01 Impact factor: 5.386