Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2020

Advisor

Jerome L. Yacklic

Abstract

Objective: We introduced maternal hypertension education tools that address illiteracy in underserved populations. Through these tools, we aim to improve patients’ knowledge of their conditions. We also aim to determine if healthcare providers perceive a benefit to the use of the tools. Ultimately, we hope these changes will lead to better short- and long-term health outcomes for mother and child.

Methods: Pregnant women with any form of hypertension at Five Rivers Center for Women’s Health (FRHC) were surveyed during OB visits. The Patient Questionnaire includes objective knowledge questions on their condition and self-reported comprehension questions. Forty-five women were surveyed during the pre-intervention phase, during which they received standard of care hypertension education.

We introduced education tools and trained providers at FRHC to use during OB visits with applicable patients. Forty-five patients received hypertension education using the new tools and completed questionnaires at the end of their OB visit.

Healthcare providers completed a Provider Survey prior to the introduction of the new tools and again post-intervention. The Provider Survey includes questions on their perception of patient understanding and confidence after delivering education. They also reported the amount of time needed to complete patient education during a visit before and after the new tools were used.

Results: At pre-intervention, women rated their knowledge of hypertension as high (4.2± 1.0) but they scored low on actual knowledge (1.7± 1.3). Post-intervention, women again rated their knowledge of hypertension as high (4.5 ± 0.7) and were similarly low on actual knowledge (2.2 ± 1.0). However, actual knowledge increase was significantly different (p<0.05)

Sixteen providers complete the Provider Survey before implementation of the new tools. They rated the current standard of care education as needing improvement (2.6 ± 1.1 [scale from 0-5]), patient comprehension after current education as moderate (2.5± 0.6), and patient confidence after current education as moderate (2.7 ± 0.6). They reported that patient education took 17.8 ± 8.5 minutes. Ten providers completed the post-intervention Provider Survey. They rated education with the new tools higher (4.1 ± 0.7), patient comprehension higher (3.5± 0.5), and patient confidence higher (3.6± 0.5) than at pre-intervention (p<0.001). In addition, they reported education taking only 7.8 ±4.3 minutes with the new tools (p<0.001).

Discussion: Patients’ actual knowledge of hypertension increased after implementation of the new tools. Education with the tools improved providers’ perception of education in all categories and decreased time needed for education by 10 minutes.

Additional Files
SCH_2021_CS_Goel_brochure.pdf (1069 kB)
Your Pregnancy: A Guide to Managing your High Blood Pressure
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Additional Files

SCH_2021_CS_Goel_brochure.pdf (1069 kB)
Your Pregnancy: A Guide to Managing your High Blood Pressure


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