Effect of self-monitoring and medication self-titration on systolic blood pressure in hypertensive patients at high risk of cardiovascular disease: the TASMIN-SR randomized clinical trial.

Importance: Self-monitoring of blood pressure with self-titration of antihypertensives (self-management) results in lower blood pressure in patients with hypertension, but there are no data about patients in high-risk groups.

Objective: To determine the effect of self-monitoring with self-titration of antihypertensive medication compared with usual care on systolic blood pressure among patients with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or chronic kidney disease.

Design, Setting, And Patients: A primary care, unblinded, randomized clinical trial involving 552 patients who were aged at least 35 years with a history of stroke, coronary heart disease, diabetes, or chronic kidney disease and with baseline blood pressure of at least 130/80 mm Hg being treated at 59 UK primary care practices was conducted between March 2011 and January 2013.

Telemonitoring and self-management in the control of hypertension (TASMINH2): a cost-effectiveness analysis.

Aims: Self-monitoring and self-titration of antihypertensives (self-management) is a novel intervention which improves blood pressure control. However, little evidence exists regarding the cost-effectiveness of self-monitoring of blood pressure in general and self-management in particular. This study aimed to evaluate whether self-management of hypertension was cost-effective.

Patient self-monitoring of blood pressure and self-titration of medication in primary care: the TASMINH2 trial qualitative study of health professionals' experiences.

Background: Self-monitoring with self-titration of antihypertensives leads to reduced blood pressure. Patients are keen on self-monitoring but little is known about healthcare professional views.

Aim: To explore health professionals' views and experiences of patient self-management, particularly with respect to future implementation into routine care.

Targets and self-management for the control of blood pressure in stroke and at risk groups (TASMIN-SR): protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

Background: Self-monitoring of hypertension with self-titration of antihypertensives (self-management) results in lower systolic blood pressure for at least one year. However, few people in high risk groups have been evaluated to date and previous work suggests a smaller effect size in these groups. This trial therefore aims to assess the added value of self-management in high risk groups over and above usual care.

Patients' experiences of self-monitoring blood pressure and self-titration of medication: the TASMINH2 trial qualitative study.

Background: Self-management of hypertension, comprising self-monitoring of blood pressure with self-titration of medication, improves blood pressure control, but little is known regarding the views of patients undertaking it.

Aim: To explore patients' views of self-monitoring blood pressure and self-titration of antihypertensive medication.

Design And Setting: Qualitative study embedded within the randomised controlled trial TASMINH2 (Telemonitoirng and Self Management in the Control of Hypertension) trial of patient self-management of hypertension from 24 general practices in the West Midlands.

Telemonitoring and self-management in the control of hypertension (TASMINH2): a randomised controlled trial.

Background: Control of blood pressure is a key component of cardiovascular disease prevention, but is difficult to achieve and until recently has been the sole preserve of health professionals. This study assessed whether self-management by people with poorly controlled hypertension resulted in better blood pressure control compared with usual care.

Methods: This randomised controlled trial was undertaken in 24 general practices in the UK.

Protocol for a randomised controlled trial of telemonitoring and self-management in the control of hypertension: telemonitoring and self-management in hypertension. [ISRCTN17585681].

Background: Controlling blood pressure with drugs is a key aspect of cardiovascular disease prevention, but until recently has been the sole preserve of health professionals. Self-management of hypertension is an under researched area in which potential benefits for both patients and professionals are great.

Methods And Design: The telemonitoring and self-management in hypertension trial (TASMINH2) will be a primary care based randomised controlled trial with embedded economic and qualitative analyses in order to evaluate the costs and effects of increasing patient involvement in blood pressure management, specifically with respect to home monitoring and self titration of antihypertensive medication compared to usual care.

Patients' experience of home and hospital based cardiac rehabilitation: a focus group study.

Background: New cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programmes, such as home programmes using the Heart Manual, are being introduced but little is known about patients' experiences of these.

Aims: To compare the views of patients who had completed a home or hospital-based CR programme and explore the benefits and problems of each programme.

Methods: 16 patients from 4 hospital programmes attended one of 3 focus groups; 10 home programme patients attended one of 2 focus groups.

How representative of primary care are research active practices? Cross-sectional survey.

Background: There has been a continued trend towards undertaking primary care-based research but the characteristics and generalizability of practices that participate in such research are not well known.

Objective: To compare research active and non-active practices in terms of practice demographics, disease prevalence and quality scores from the Quality and Outcomes Framework.

Design: Cross-sectional survey using publicly available data.

'DNA' may not mean 'did not participate': a qualitative study of reasons for non-adherence at home- and centre-based cardiac rehabilitation.

Background: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) has been shown to improve prognosis and function following an acute myocardial infarction or revascularization. However, participation in CR programmes is low and adherence is poor.

Objective: To explore patients' reasons for non-participation in or non-adherence to a home- or hospital-based CR programme.