Abosede Ajagbe

Student Number-S278624
NUR 342, Assessment 2
Lecturer- Leena Panicker
A Qualitative Study of Patient Perspectives about Hypertension
Introduction
Emily, Raj, Alexander & Branko (2013) based their research on hypertension which
is viewed as prevalence in many countries. Many factors contributed to this, which
led to low medication and lifestyle adherence. For this reason, a qualitative study
consisting of semi structured interviews to explore hypertensive patients views on
their disease state and issues related to optimizing BP control was carried out.
Though there is limited data available about patients personal perspectives
regarding obstacles to hypertension control. Qualitative research involves disciplined
inquiry that examines peoples lives, experiences and behaviours, and the stories
and meanings individuals ascribe to them. It can also investigate organisational
functioning, relationships between individuals and groups, and social environments
(NHMRC 2015).
Aim
The aim of any research article is to analyse the specification of the research
question, statement or hypothesis. The aim of this research article is to understand
hypertensive patients view on blood pressure and hypertension treatment (HudsonBarr, 2004).The researchers conducted the research because they thought
hypertension is a common problem and medication and lifestyle adherence is low in
many countries. (Emily et al.2013). They wanted to find out from hypertensive
patients their knowledge of what hypertension is, how they manage their condition
and their experience since they started taking the medication. Hypertensive patients
from two clinics were used as paradigms for the research.
Sample

Sampling is a process through which a researcher selects participants from a

population for study.Hypertensive patients were used as participants. T hey were
recruited from two hypertension clinics at the University of Alberta in Edmonton,
Canada. Eligibility criteria includes patient of 18 years or older and with English
literacy skills, diagnosed with hypertension by a healthcare provider, and currently
taking an antihypertensive medication. Participants were stratified in the analysis
according to blood pressure control (Emily et al.2013)

Methodology
Research methodology provides framework or process for conducting the study e.g.
observation, interview, and questionnaire . Pamphlet

was mailed to patients as part

of the appointment scheduling, and, during the appointment, recruiting physicians

asked for their willingness to participate in the study. Written and verbal consent was
obtained by the study coordinator. Patients were paid for participating in the study
and the time spent on the interview and costs of parking and travel. Ethical approval
was obtained from the University of Alberta Health and Research Ethics Board; all
participating patients signed consent to participate in the study . Researchers assured
participants of confidentiality regarding the information given. Interviews were
conducted in a neutral, nonclinical setting. The sample was sub stratified according
to hypertension control (controlled versus uncontrolled). Patients were considered
on target if BP was either<140/90mmHg or<130/80mmHg. (Emily et al. 2013)
An interview topic guide was developed using the current literature in the field and
based on expert opinion. Interviews were semi structured, 3060 minutes in
duration, and designed to raise patients views using open-ended questions to trigger
responses and prompts as necessary for clarification purposes. Two pilot interviews
were conducted and transcribed, after which the interview guide was refined, and
then the remaining interviews were conducted. Specific interview topics were
definitions of high blood pressure, the consequences of uncontrolled hypertension,
current BP in relation to targets, methods to lower BP, medication adverse effects,
and barriers to and facilitators of routine drug intake and adherence . (Emily et
al.2013)

References

Emily, P. J., Raj S. P., Alexander M. C., & Branko, B. (2013). A Qualitative Study of
Patient Perspectives about Hypertension, ISRN Hypertension, vol. 2013, Article ID
671691, 10 pages, 2013. doi:10.5402/2013/671691.
Hudson-Barr, D. (2004). Scientific inquiry. How to read a research article. Journal for
Specialists in Paediatric Nursing, 9(2), 70-72.
National Health and Medical Research Council. (2015).National Statement on Ethical
Conduct in human Research Canberra: Australian Government Publishing Service.