Key result
Qualitative study identifies diagnostic uncertainty and measurement concerns as key barriers in pediatric hypertension.
Why the study?
It is unclear how patient and family behaviors impact the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric hypertension despite existing clinical guidelines and known provider/system barriers.
Parental uncertainty, concerns about measurement accuracy, and lack of child engagement are significant barriers to the effective diagnosis and treatment of pediatric hypertension.
May aid pediatric hypertension diagnosis by addressing parental barriers; leaves open efficacy of targeted interventions.
Clinical practice guidelines for diagnosis and management of pediatric hypertension have been available for decades. Yet, most cases of hypertension in children are undiagnosed. Provider and system-based factors, such as the complexity of diagnostic standards, and a failure among physicians to recognize the importance of hypertension in children, play a role in underdiagnosis. It is unclear, however, how patient and family behaviors impact the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric hypertension. We aimed to explore the perspectives of parents whose children have had multiple high blood pressure readings or have been diagnosed with hypertension to inform clinicians with areas for practice improvement. In a 2 site qualitative study, we interviewed parents of 15 children diagnosed with hypertension. Results from semi-structured interviews with parents revealed barriers to the diagnosis of pediatric hypertension, including uncertainty about the diagnosis and concerns around the accuracy of blood pressure measurements. Delay in diagnosis and lack of child engagement emerged as obstacles to the treatment of pediatric hypertension.
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A 2020 study studied Pediatric hypertension (n=15). Parental experience of pediatric hypertension was evaluated on Parental perspectives on barriers to diagnosis and treatment of pediatric hypertension. Qualitative interviews with parents of children with hypertension identified diagnostic uncertainty, measurement concerns, diagnostic delays, and lack of child engagement as barriers to care.
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