Effect of Reminder Cards on Adherence to Treatment in Patients with Uncontrolled Hypertension

Introduction: Hypertension is one of the most important risk factors of cardiovascular diseases.In developing countries like Iran, the prevalence of hypertension is expanding.Today, the use of new technologies such as reminder cards, as a tool for promoting adherence to treatment, is recommended.The present research aimed to evaluate reminder cards on adherence to treatment in the patients with hypertension, who were referred to Seyed al Shohada Medical and Educational Center, Urmia, Iran.Methods: The present work was a clinical trial study, in which 82 patients with hypertension that were referred to Seyedal Shohada Medical and Educational Center, Urmia, Iran, and had the inclusion criteria were selected using the convenience sampling method.Then, they were randomly assigned to two groups, including those trained with reminder cards, and the control group.The data collection tool included demographic questionnaire and Hill-Ben's treatment adherence questionnaire, which was filled via two steps before and after the intervention.During the 12-week follow-up course, for the reminder cards group, the correct manner and sequence of using reminder cards was trained to the patients and their families.Data analysis was performed with SPSS 16 software using descriptive and inferential tests.Results: Results of this study demonstrated that mean score of adherence to treatment advice among the patients was not statistically different in the two groups before the intervention (P > 0.05).However, mean scores of adherence to treatment advice was statistically different in the two groups after the intervention (P = 0.000).Conclusions: Findings obtained from the present research demonstrated that training and remote follow-up via remainder cards leads to adherence promotion of patients to treatment advice.Therefore, healthcare teams and nurses of these patients are recommended to apply such training methods.