Open AccessPrimary Care Clinic Nurse Activities with a Telehealth Monitoring System
Author(s) -
Chelsea Howland,
Laurel Despins,
Jeri Sindt,
Bonnie J. Wakefield,
David R. Mehr
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
western journal of nursing research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.552
H-Index - 62
eISSN - 1552-8456
pISSN - 0193-9459
DOI - 10.1177/0193945920923082
Subject(s) - telehealth , medicine , primary nursing , medical record , primary care , nursing , family medicine , descriptive statistics , randomized controlled trial , primary health care , ambulatory care nursing , telemedicine , health care , nurse education , population , statistics , mathematics , environmental health , economics , economic growth
The purpose of this study was to evaluate differences in the types of nursing activities and communication processes reported in a primary care clinic between patients who used a home-based monitoring system to electronically communicate self-monitored blood glucose and blood pressure values and those who assumed usual care. Data were extracted from electronic medical records from individuals who participated in a randomized controlled trial comparing in-home monitoring and usual care in patients with Type 2 diabetes and hypertension being treated in a primary care clinic. Data about nursing activities initiated by primary care clinic nurses were compared between groups using descriptive statistics and independent t -tests. Significant differences between groups were identified for the direct care nursing activities of providing lifestyle and health education, medication adjustments, and patient follow-up. This study provides evidence of greater nursing activity reported in a primary care clinic in patients who utilized a home-based monitoring system.