Creation of ambulatory questionnaire for patients with raised blood pressure
Aim - to develop a questionnaire for evaluation awareness of hypertension, risk factors, treatment and blood pressure (BP) control in patients with raised BP which allows justified decision making on improvement the results of medical care delivered to patients with hypertension in primary care. Material and Methods - Literature review with using E-library and PubMed databases was conducted to search questionnaires previously developed in clinical studies for patients with hypertension. Validated questionnaires for assessment adherence to treatment, excessive use of alcohol and alcohol abuse were reviewed separately. The results of literature review were considered in development of a new questionnaire designed for using in polyclinic. Results - Questionnaire containing 16 questions was developed. The questionnaire allows evaluation the following aspects: awareness of BP elevation, having a tonometer at home and frequency of BP self-measurement, taking antihypertensive drugs, medication adherence (Morisky-Green scale), a frequency of addressing for primary, secondary and emergency care, presence of modifiable risk factors: smoking, alcohol abuse (CAGE questionnaire), interest in specialized follow-up program. Developed questionnaire was approbated in a polyclinic of worker's settlement located in Saratov region. 80% of patients gave their agreement to answer the questions. Filling the questionnaire was taking about five minutes. Questions were intuitively clear, did not need any clarifications. It is possible to implement the questionnaire as well as interview conducted by a doctor or a nurse as patients' self-reporting. The most convenient way of use is an interview conducted by a nurse. Conclusion - The developed questionnaire allows evaluation of general aspects of treatment ov raised BP from a patient's view as well as revealing removable barriers to effective BP control achievement in routine work of primary care unit.