JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

High blood pressure (>140/90mmHg) is the most important risk factor for death worldwide. Home blood pressure measurement (HBPM) is recommended for BP management. HBPM is most effective to improve BP management when delivered with patient education. It is unknown if online resources are appropriate for patient education for HBPM. Patient education should provide accurate, evidence-based information, communicate at a grade eight reading level, and involve end-users in development to meet the needs of adults of all health literacy levels.

Objective:

Using these criteria, this study aimed to determine the appropriateness of online HBPM resources.

Methods:

None of the identified resources (n=24) aligned with all 23 of the guideline recommendations. All resources aligned with the recommendation to measure BP when seated, while few aligned with the recommendation to use a validated BP device (n=9, 38%). All resources exceeded the recommended grade-eight reading level (mean: 11.8, range: 8.8-17.0) and none reported evidence of patient end-user involvement in development.

Results:

None of the identified resources (n=24) aligned with all 23 of the guideline recommendations. All resources aligned with the recommendation to measure BP when seated, while few aligned with the recommendation to use a validated BP device (n=9, 38%). All resources exceeded the recommended grade-eight reading level (mean: 11.8, range: 8.8-17.0) and none reported evidence of patient end-user involvement in development.

Conclusions:

None of the online resources met the criteria for appropriate education to support adults to measure BP at home. Resources should be developed with end-users using health literacy tools and multi-modal communication methods to ensure they are appropriate to meet the needs of patients.