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Table 2 Components of enhanced pharmacist care

From: Improving hypertension management through pharmacist prescribing; the rural alberta clinical trial in optimizing hypertension (Rural RxACTION): trial design and methods

Intervention Component

Detailed Description

Blood pressure control

• Review current blood pressure control and treatment goals

• Modify antihypertensive regimen as required (increase dose, additional antihypertensives, change administration schedule)

• Order blood work as required with medication changes

Cardiovascular risk reduction

• Assessment of concomitant conditions and appropriate treatment (e.g., diabetes management, dyslipidemia, obesity)

Education

• Wallet card to record blood pressure readings, patient-related information from the Canadian Hypertension Education Program [17]

• Lifestyle parameters for implementation (weight loss, salt intake, smoking cessation, alcohol intake, physical activity)

Collaboration with physicians

• Meeting with local physicians prior to study start to discuss collaboration and address any concerns, provide physicians with a communication package

• Fax/letter regarding patient's enrollment in the study as well as notification regarding prescriptions

Adherence

• Simplified regimens, home blood pressure monitoring, and/or identification of adherence barriers

Close follow-up

• Every four weeks until patient reaches target for two consecutive visits, then every three months