Domestic blood pressure monitors, along with regular use prompts, play a crucial role in managing blood pressure levels.
Researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine have conducted a study on the effectiveness of two different approaches - opt-in and opt-out - in encouraging patients with high blood pressure to take their home blood pressure readings. The study, published in JAMA Network Open, did not find a significant difference in the number of readings submitted by patients in either group.
The study involved patients who were mailed home blood pressure cuffs and given the option to text their readings to their clinical team. The 'nudge' tested was an opt-out or opt-in framing of the choice to get the blood pressure cuffs. However, the exact time frame for these studies is not specified in the provided search results.
Despite the similar number of readings submitted, the study did not find a significant difference in the effectiveness of the two approaches in controlling hypertension. Approximately 35% of patients who received at-home blood pressure cuffs and text reminders were able to get their blood pressure in check, compared to 21% of patients who received regular care - readings taken in their primary care provider's office.
Dr. Mehta, one of the researchers involved in the study, suggests that the similar findings between the opt-in and opt-out groups may be due to the requirement of a phone call and consent to participate in the study, which may have added effort. Mehta believes that opt-out approaches often work best when they remove effort to participate for both the patient and clinical staff.
In light of these findings, Mehta proposes that future studies could automatically enroll patients through texting without requiring a phone call to potentially see a greater difference in the effectiveness of the opt-out approach. This could help to reduce the burden on both patients and clinical staff, making it easier for more patients to take control of their blood pressure and improve their overall health.
In addition to this study, Mehta's thoughts on the study's findings are based on prior research. The study tested a 'nudge' concept from behavioral science to influence behavior, demonstrating the potential of this approach in healthcare settings. However, more research is needed to fully understand the potential benefits and limitations of this approach.
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