The effect of telemedicine usage among hypertension patients in a primary care centre; randomized controlled study

Canan Tuz

Keywords: telemedicine,hypertension,primary care,

Background:
Electronic processes and communication technologies are more often employed to provide healthcare services to caregivers and their patients. Such solutions are currently referred to as e-health, the most popular and widely distributed being those based on telemedicine and mobile health (m-health). Telemedicine played an important role in primary care during pandemic days. Online consultations helped general practitioners and patients about severeness of illnesses that can be cured at home or by referring to the hospital or making an appointment for a consultation in the primary health care centre.
Chronic illness management places considerable pressure on patients, doctors, and health care systems worldwide. International clinical guidelines recommend patient empowerment for chronic illness management. Telemedicine could be a low-cost, easy, acceptable and useful way of supporting patient empowerment.

Research questions:
Telemedicine usage among hypertension patients in a primary care centre; is as effective as face to face consultations on regulating hypertension.

Method:
A randomized controlled study
*Educational primary health care center.
*150 hypertension patients
*Three groups; 1. control 2. telemedicine 3. face to face
*Blood pressure levels and EKG tests; urinary tests?
*1st group would be only called after six months for the same process.
*2nd group would be called via phone or video every 30 days.
*3rd group would be appointed every 30 days for a face-to-face consultation.
*After 6 months their blood pressure levels and left ventricular hypertrophia levels would be compared

Results:
The results will be announced after the study is finished

Conclusions:
Telemedicine would be a tool kit for chronic illness management in primary care.

Points for discussion:
What precautions should be taken to prevent bias?

What is your opinion about excluding criterias?