Abstract P110: Appropriateness Of Online Resources For Home Blood Pressure Measurement: Alignment With Guideline Recommendations, Readability, And End-user Involvement.

Abstract

Home blood pressure measurement (HBPM) is recommended for BP management. HBPM must be accompanied by patient education, which may be achieved via online resources. These HBPM-resources should provide information that aligns with guideline recommendations, communicate at the recommended grade-eight reading level, and involve end-users in development. Using these criteria, this study aimed to determine the appropriateness of online HBPM-resources. Online HBPM-resources were identified on Google using seven search terms developed with end-users and included if in English and freely accessible (n=24). HBPM-resource appropriateness was appraised by 1) alignment with 13 guideline recommendations encompassing core HBPM activities, 2) grade reading level as calculated by a validated health-literacy-assessment software, and 3) evidence of end-user involvement in HBPM-resource development. Thirteen of twenty-four (54%) HBPM-resources aligned with ≤6 of the 13 guideline recommendations. Only two of twenty-four (8%) resources aligned with all 13 recommendations. Very few HBPM-resources included recommendations to use a validated BP device (n=9 of 24, 38%); fit the BP cuff within the indicated range (n=3 of 24, 13%) or report average BP readings (n=6 of 24, 25%). None of the HBPM-resources were at a grade-eight reading level (mean 11.8, range 8.8 to 17) or reported that patient end-users were involved in resource development. Most online HBPM-resources do not fully align with guideline recommendations, and all exceed the recommended reading level for adults. These findings indicate a need to improve the appropriateness of online HBPM-resources, and involving end-users in development may be a means to achieve this.