Improved Follow-Up Care of Hypertensive Patients By a Nurse Practitioner in a Rural Clinic

Abstract

The usefulness of nurse practitioners in the care of hypertension has been demonstrated in a variety of settings. In a randomized prospective comparison between physicians and nurse practitioner care, observations are extended to rural ambulatory hypertensives. Data indicate that for patients who remain actively in follow-up, blood pressure control was the same when treated by either physicians or the nurse practitioner. However, patients treated by the nurse practitioner had a significantly better follow-up adherence rate than did those treated by physicians. The data presented support the use of nurse practitioners in the care of hypertension, particularly in rural populations where a need for intermediate level practitioners is likely to persist despite an expanding supply of physicians.