How and why do Australians obtain blood pressure devices for use at home? A mixed-methods study.

BackgroundOnly 10-20% of blood pressure (BP) devices available are validated. Little is known about how and why patients choose BP devices for home BP measurement (HBPM), which was the aim of this study. MethodsMixed-methods study (online survey (n=241), phone interviews among a purposive subsample (n=27)) among adults who perform HBPM in Australia (June-Dec 2023). Survey questions determined how BP devices were obtained, device make/model and factors influencing device selection. Interviews further explored these topics. Device validation status was determined using the STRIDE BP and Medaval websites. ResultsParticipants were middle aged (58{+/-}16 years, 52% women) and 91% purchased a device for HBPM (n=189; 9% borrowed a device), with 69% (n=130) purchased from pharmacies (53% validated) and 21% (n=39) purchased online (51% validated). Accuracy was said to be the most important consideration when choosing a device for most participants (n=129, 77%). Interview participants described using brand recognition, online reviews and cost to select an accurate device; avoiding cheaper devices and preferring brands used in healthcare settings. Participants did not consider validation status and did not receive advice on device accuracy at point-of-sale. ConclusionThis study highlights real world experiences of adults when obtaining HBPM devices that can be used to inform strategies to direct adults to validated devices. Strategies such as increasing signage at the point-of-sale and training healthcare practitioners to identify and direct consumers to validated devices may be effective in increasing uptake. Regulatory bodies should mandate the sale of validated devices in healthcare settings to increase availability. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=149 SRC="FIGDIR/small/24318446v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (39K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@15291cdorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1e22c75org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1d4eeb5org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@83e35b_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG