How do patients experience and use home blood pressure monitoring? A qualitative analysis with UTAUT 2

• Published in: Scandinavian journal of primary health care Vol. 42; no. 4; pp. 1 - 601
• Main Authors: Nymberg, Peter, Bandel, Ida, Bolmsjö, Beata Borgström, Wolff, Moa, Calling, Susanna, Leonardsen, Ann-Chatrin Linqvist, MilosNymberg, Veronica
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Taylor & Francis LLC 01.12.2024; Taylor & Francis; Taylor & Francis Group
• Subjects: Allmänmedicin; Blood pressure; blood pressure monitoring; Cardiovascular diseases; Clinical Medicine; Content analysis; Family Medicine; focus group interviews; Focus groups; Health care; Hypertension; hypertension management; Influence; Klinisk medicin; M4HP; Measurement; Medical and Health Sciences; Medicin och hälsovetenskap; Motivation; Patient participation; Patients; Qualitative research; qualitative study; self-care; Technology; Treatment methods; qualitative study; Blood pressure; focus group interviews; hypertension management; hypertension; self-care; blood pressure monitoring
• ISSN: 0281-3432; 1502-7724; 1502-7724
• DOI: 10.1080/02813432.2024.2368849

Hypertension is an important cardiovascular risk factor with potentially harmful consequences. Home blood pressure monitoring is a promising method for following the effect of hypertension treatment. The use of technology-enabled care and increased patient involvement might contribute to more effective treatment methods. However, more knowledge is needed to explain the motivations and consequences of patients engaging in what has been called 'do-it-yourself healthcare'. This study aimed to investigate patients' experiences of home blood pressure monitoring through the theoretical frame of the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT 2). The study had a qualitative design, with focus group interviews using the web-based platform Zoom. The data were analysed using qualitative deductive content analysis, inspired by Graneheim and Lundman. The results are presented using the seven theoretical constructs of UTAUT 2: Performance Expectancy, Effort Expectancy, Social Influence, Facilitating Conditions, Hedonistic Motivation, Price Value and Habit. We found one overarching theme ‒ 'It's all about the feeling of security'. The patients were influenced by relatives or healthcare personnel and experienced the home monitoring process as being easy to conduct. The patients emphasised that the quality of the blood pressure monitor was more important than the price. Patients reported home monitoring of blood pressure as a feasible method to follow-up care of their hypertension. This study indicates that among motivated patients, home blood pressure measurement entails minimal effort, increases security, and leads to better communication about blood pressure between healthcare personnel and patients.