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Research

Patient use of blood pressure self-screening facilities in general practice waiting rooms: a qualitative study in the UK

Alice C Tompson, Sabrina Grant, Sheila M Greenfield, Richard J McManus, Susannah Fleming, Carl J Heneghan, FD Richard Hobbs and Alison M Ward
British Journal of General Practice 2017; 67 (660): e467-e473. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3399/bjgp17X690881
Alice C Tompson
Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford.
Roles: Research officer
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Sabrina Grant
School of Clinical Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol.
Roles: Research fellow
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Sheila M Greenfield
Institute of Applied Health Services Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham.
Roles: Professor of medical sociology
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Richard J McManus
Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford.
Roles: NIHR professor of primary care research
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Susannah Fleming
Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford.
Roles: Quantitative researcher
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Carl J Heneghan
Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford.
Roles: Professor of evidence-based medicine
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FD Richard Hobbs
Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford.
Roles: Professor of primary care health sciences
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Alison M Ward
Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford.
Roles: Director of postgraduate studies
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Abstract

Background Blood pressure (BP) self-screening, whereby members of the public have access to BP monitoring equipment outside of healthcare consultations, may increase the detection and treatment of hypertension. Currently in the UK such opportunities are largely confined to GP waiting rooms.

Aim To investigate the reasons why people do or do not use BP self-screening facilities.

Design and setting A cross-sectional, qualitative study in Oxfordshire, UK.

Method Semi-structured interviews with members of the general public recruited using posters in GP surgeries and community locations were recorded, transcribed, and coded thematically.

Results Of the 30 interviewees, 20% were hypertensive and almost half had self-screened. Those with no history of elevated readings had limited concern over their BP: self-screening filled the time waiting for their appointment or was done to help their doctor. Patients with hypertension self-screened to avoid the feelings they associated with ‘white coat syndrome’ and to introduce more control into the measurement process. Barriers to self-screening included a lack of awareness, uncertainty about technique, and worries over measuring BP in a public place. An unanticipated finding was that several interviewees preferred monitoring their BP in the waiting room than at home.

Conclusion BP self-screening appeared acceptable to service users. Further promotion and education could increase awareness among non-users of the need for BP screening, the existence of self-screening facilities, and its ease of use. Waiting room monitors could provide an alternative for patients with hypertension who are unwilling or unable to monitor at home.

  • hypertension
  • primary health care
  • qualitative research
  • screening
  • self-care
  • self-monitoring
  • Received November 4, 2016.
  • Revision requested December 19, 2016.
  • Accepted February 7, 2017.
  • © British Journal of General Practice 2017

This is an OpenAccess article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted reuse, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

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British Journal of General Practice: 67 (660)
British Journal of General Practice
Vol. 67, Issue 660
July 2017
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Patient use of blood pressure self-screening facilities in general practice waiting rooms: a qualitative study in the UK
Alice C Tompson, Sabrina Grant, Sheila M Greenfield, Richard J McManus, Susannah Fleming, Carl J Heneghan, FD Richard Hobbs, Alison M Ward
British Journal of General Practice 2017; 67 (660): e467-e473. DOI: 10.3399/bjgp17X690881

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Patient use of blood pressure self-screening facilities in general practice waiting rooms: a qualitative study in the UK
Alice C Tompson, Sabrina Grant, Sheila M Greenfield, Richard J McManus, Susannah Fleming, Carl J Heneghan, FD Richard Hobbs, Alison M Ward
British Journal of General Practice 2017; 67 (660): e467-e473. DOI: 10.3399/bjgp17X690881
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Keywords

  • hypertension
  • primary health care
  • qualitative research
  • screening
  • self-care
  • self-monitoring

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  • Antimicrobial stewardship in the UK during the COVID-19 pandemic: a population-based cohort study and interrupted time-series analysis
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Print ISSN: 0960-1643
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