Boehm, Meghan
(2018)
Targeting blood pressure in Pittsburgh, PA.
Master Essay, University of Pittsburgh.
Abstract
Heart disease, stroke and heart health related illnesses cause a tremendous amount of deaths each year in the United States. Currently around 1 in every 3 Americans has high blood pressure, which is the cause of many deaths surrounding heart complications and related illnesses. This is a major public health concern. As a response to the high prevalence of high blood pressure in the United States, the American Heart Association launched an evidence-based program, Target: BP, in 2015. Medical practices, hospitals and health service organizations can register for the initiative and will follow a customized implementation plan to improve patient blood pressures within their organizations. To raise awareness for this initiative, the American Heart Association held the “Targeting Blood Pressure Symposium” on January 30, 2018, in Pittsburgh, PA. Seventy-five practitioners, nurses, and other public health officials attended the event. Researchers in the field discussed latest research findings, proper blood pressure measurement techniques, how to utilize the Target: BP program, the urgency of addressing high blood pressure and its negative impact on population health. Attendees were encouraged to participate in a blood pressure measurement challenge in which they would be tested on their ability to measure blood pressure accurately. Out of the 33 attendees who participated in the challenge, only 3 measured blood pressure accurately. Following the symposium, attendees were surveyed to evaluate the symposium’s effectiveness and to determine whether attendees will make positive changes within their organizations due to their attendance. Out of the 75 individuals who attended the event, 14 responded to the survey. When asked about the level of intention to make positive changes in their practice, 61.5% of survey responses reported being very committed, 23.1% reported being mostly committed, and 15.4% were moderately committed. Although the survey succeeded in soliciting feedback from the effectiveness of the event, other metrics should be used if this event is replicated. Additional metrics could include 6 months and 1-year post-symposium surveys, as well as examining patient health data in health service organizations that register with Target: BP, before the symposium and after.
Share
| Citation/Export: |
|
| Social Networking: |
|
Details
| Item Type: |
Other Thesis, Dissertation, or Long Paper
(Master Essay)
|
| Status: |
Unpublished |
| Creators/Authors: |
|
| Contributors: |
| Contribution | Contributors Name | Email | Pitt Username | ORCID  |
|---|
| Committee Chair | Barron, Gerald | gbarron@pitt.edu | UNSPECIFIED | UNSPECIFIED | | Committee Member | Hawk, Mary | meh96@pitt.edu | UNSPECIFIED | UNSPECIFIED |
|
| Date: |
17 April 2018 |
| Date Type: |
Submission |
| Submission Date: |
9 April 2018 |
| Access Restriction: |
No restriction; Release the ETD for access worldwide immediately. |
| Number of Pages: |
55 |
| Institution: |
University of Pittsburgh |
| Schools and Programs: |
School of Public Health > Health Policy & Management |
| Degree: |
MPH - Master of Public Health |
| Thesis Type: |
Master Essay |
| Refereed: |
Yes |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: |
blood pressure |
| Date Deposited: |
09 Nov 2018 17:10 |
| Last Modified: |
09 Nov 2018 17:11 |
| URI: |
http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/34232 |
Metrics
Monthly Views for the past 3 years
Plum Analytics
Actions (login required)
 |
View Item |
![[img]](http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/style/images/fileicons/application_msword.png)
![[feed]](/images/feed-icon-32x32.png){kind=icon}