PS-BPP04-9: THE RXPATH RANDOMIZED TRIAL OF THE HYPERTENSION CANADA PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION PROGRAM: A NOVEL IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY FOR HYPERTENSION GUIDELINES

Abstract

The uptake of clinical practice guidelines into practice is poor for many chronic conditions, including hypertension. We designed a guidelines-based educational program for primary care clinicians, the Hypertension Canada Professional Certification Program (HC-PCP, www.hypertension.ca/professional-certification-program). It consists of four online modules, an online prospective patient registry, and expert evaluations of the blood pressure measurement technique and case management by the learner. We then evaluated its impact on patient level outcomes. Objective: The objective of RxPATH was to determine the effect of the HC-PCP for pharmacists on systolic blood pressure reduction in patients with poorly controlled hypertension. Design and Methods: Design: Stepped wedge cluster randomized trial (unit of randomization was the pharmacy). Setting: Community pharmacies in Alberta, Canada Population: Pharmacists with prescriptive authority volunteered to participate. We enrolled patients with poorly controlled hypertension (BP > 140/90mmHg or > 130/80mmHg in those with diabetes), identified by their pharmacist. Intervention: Pharmacists were enrolled in the HC-PCP. They then provided this care to their patients with poorly controlled hypertension. Control: Pharmacists were given a copy of the Hypertension Canada Guidelines and provided usual care to their patients prior to undertaking the HC-PCP. Outcomes: The primary outcome was difference in change in systolic blood pressure between intervention and control groups at 3 months. We also evaluated patient satisfaction using the Consultant Satisfaction Questionnaire (CSQ). Results: We enrolled 890 patients from 61 pharmacies (104 pharmacists). Mean age was 61.6 (SD 14.1) years, 46% were female, 35.5% had diabetes, and mean baseline BP was 152.4 (SD 13.8)/87.0 (SD 10.6)mmHg. Change in systolic BP was 9.9 (SD 16.5) for the intervention group, compared to 9.9 (SD 16.2) mmHg in the control group, p = 0.29. Patient satisfaction using the CSQ was high at 76 (of 90 maximum). Conclusions: Most educational programs do not get evaluated at the patient level. RxPATH demonstrated that the HC-PCP intervention did not result in a greater reduction in systolic BP compared to control. While both groups did have clinically meaningful reductions in BP, possible reasons for lack of a difference with the intervention include: COVID-19 staffing/workload issues in pharmacies, selection bias for pharmacists interested in hypertension/contamination of usual care group, and short follow-up duration. Feedback on the HC-PCP from pharmacists was positive, patient satisfaction was high, and we plan to make this program widely available to primary care providers.