PCV85 STRESS MANAGEMENT EDUCATION AND COUNSELING AMONG HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS: AN ANALYSIS OF AMBULATORY CARE SURVEY DATA

Abstract

Unlike "secondary hypertension,” the term "essential hypertension” highlights the underlying cause is still not explicitly known yet. Stress is significantly associated with essential hypertension; stress management is imperative especially in these modern days life- style. This study aims to identify the possible factors that are associated with 'stress management education and counselling' at ambulatory care practices. Using STATA, NAMCS 2015 data is analyzed. The subsample of adults (n=24273) is selected. Bivariate analyses are conducted to identify factors that are significantly associated with stress management education. Logistic regression models are estimated to distinguish factors that have significant association with stress management education and counseling. From the subsample of adults (n=24273), 31% of respondents (n=7637) were diagnosed for hypertension. Hypertension is predominantly associated with Black (41%) and White (31%), age group 60-80, and Medicare patients (46%). Stress management education and counseling was provided at 0.42% (n=101) of total visits. Only 0.39% of hypertensive patients have stress management education and counseling. Bivariate analyses show that: (1) age-groups 35-44, 25-34, and 18-24, (2) race - Black, non-Hispanic other, Hispanic, (3) people with Medicaid and private insurance types, (4) non-private or solo (other) type of office setting, (5) primary care and medical care specialties, (6) employee physicians, regions - West, (7) non-MSA, and (8) EMR - partly and fully have. Estimated Logistic regression model indicates that specialty (OR=0.6), regions (OR=1.8), non-MSA (OR=3), and Black (OR=2.7). Region-wise stress management education and counseling should be reevaluated. Further research should be directed to study stress management among Non-MSA residents. In future NAMCS data, hypertension information should be collected by distinguishing into two subtypes (essential and secondary hypertension).