The Effects of a Smartphone App-Supported Nursing Care Program on the Disease Self-Management of Hypertensive Patients: A Randomized Controlled Study

Abstract

Aim: Hypertension is one of the most common chronic diseases worldwide. Therefore, it is essential to improve patients' adherence to treatment in order to control their blood pressure. The present study aims to examine the effect of a smartphone application-supported nursing care program provided by a nurse on medication adherence and achievement of normal systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels among patients diagnosed with primary hypertension and registered at the Family Health Center within the context of patients' self-management behaviors.

Methods: A randomized controlled experimental study design. CONSORT flow chart was used in the study. The study sample consisted of 41 hypertensive patients in the intervention group and 41 hypertensive patients in the control group. The intervention group was supported with a smartphone application named "HiperDostum" based on the health belief model, whereas the control group continued to receive standard healthcare services provided by the Family Health Center, to which they were affiliated. Data were collected using the "Patient Information Form," "Blood Pressure Monitoring Form," and the "Medication Adherence Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form."

Results: It was observed that the intervention group participants had higher medication adherence self-efficacy scale scores when compared to the control group participants. Comparing the blood pressure values by group, time, and group*time interaction, it was determined that there were statistically significant differences in systolic blood pressure values by time and group*time interaction.

Conclusion: Considering the widespread use of smartphones and smartphone application-supported nursing care can be successfully used to enhance self-management and improve treatment adherence among hypertensive patients in primary healthcare institutions.

Trial registration: Registration number: NCT0532140; NAME OF TRIAL REGISTRY: The Effect of Smart Phone Application Supported Nursing Care Program on the Self-Management of Hypertensive Patients.