Effects of Continuous Care Model on Blood Pressure in Patients with Type II Diabetes

Abstract

Introduction: One of the main problems encountered by type II diabetes patients is high Blood Pressure (BP). Continuous care is the standard process of making effective, mutual, and continuous relationships between patients and nurses as healthcare providers. Continuous Care Model (CCM) can help the nurses in identifying needs, problems, and sensitisations of the patients and encourage them to maintain and enhance their health status. Aim: This study aimed to investigate the effects of CCM on the BP trends of patients with type II diabetes in llam city. Materials and Methods: This quasi - experimental research was conducted in 80 patients with type II diabetes. Subjects were selected using cluster sampling method and then were randomly divided into intervention and control groups. Interventions based on the CCM were in the form of training sessions that were conducted for three weeks. Consequently, continuous care consultations, control, and assessment were conducted for nine weeks. A questionnaire on demographic characteristics and a BP recording device was used to collect the data obtained before intervention and 1-3 months after intervention. Then, descriptive and inferential tests (ANOVA, repeated measures, chi-square) were used for data analysis. Results: Findings revealed that the mean BP (measured in mmHg) scores of the CCM (systolic, 133.22 +/- 3.98; diastolic, 86.00 +/- 2.96) and control groups (systolic, 133.65 +/- 2.10; diastolic 84.62 +/- 2.72) before intervention were not significant (p>0.05); however, after intervention, a significant difference was observed between the mean BP (measured in mmHg) scores of the CCM (systolic, 127.52 +/- 3.13; diastolic, 80.75 +/- 1.97) and control groups (systolic, 133.65 +/- 2.25; diastolic, 83.87 +/- 2.12) (p<0.05). Conclusion: CCM is suggested to be effective in managing the BP and can be applied to improve the health behaviour in patients with type II diabetes.