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The hospital volunteer role in hypertension screening
ABSTRACTS:
A-9 HYPERTENSION AND STRESS:
HIGH
BLOOD
PRESSURE
37
CONTROL
A PREVENTIVE APPROACH
Benjamin F. Banahan III, Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi; Thomas R. Sharpe The most common approach to hypertension treatment is medication. However, medical treatment has been plagued with serious problems regarding detecting cases and maintaining compliance. By definition, the high proportion of cases diagnosed as "essential hypertension" points to our inability to identify the causes of hypertension. This suggests that a psycho-social rather than a medical approach is needed if prevention is to be obtained. Such a preventive approach, based on decreasing the effects of stress, is presented. The first-step-identifying individuals overreactive to stress--was tested using Spielberger's state-trait anxiety model. Employees in 5 Mississippi industries were screened for high blood pressure in cooperation with the American Heart Association--Mississippi Affiliate. A systematic sample and all hypertensives (SBP > 160 and/or DBP > 95 mm Hg) completed the State-Trait Anxiety Inve?itory (STAI). ATTrait as a measure of individual reactiveness to stress showed a weak relationship to hypertension except in the over a measure of situation specific anxiety, 55 age group. A-State, showed a strong relationship to blood pressure. The results strongly support the existence of a relationship between stress and hypertension. Further research, however, is needed to identify a measure of reactiveness to stress. Several instruments which might fulfill this need are discussed. A-10 THE
HOSPITAL VOLUNTEER ROLE IN HYPERTENSION SCREENING
Gertrude
Banks,
St.
Francis
Hospital,
Blue
Island,
Illinoie
The only no-cost screening being done on a community-wide basis was very erratic. There was a need for a continuing program to aid both th? people and ultimately the physicians of the community. Volunteers could provide this service. Our purpose is to document as many hypertensives them to their physicians, and provide maintenance physician's discretion,
as possible, refer checking at the
Screening is available on a weekly basis during visiting hours, Approximately 80-100 people are checked each week. The all-volunteer staff consists of 1 RN and 3 laypersons, trained by the hospital's Continuing Education Department, plus 4 hostesses to register the people and maintain records. People found to have elevated readings yre referred to their ?@rsonal physicians and given postcards to be wtl.vqpfi tn the hm,cni+-1 q*v:thi: 6 weeks with the physicians' recomvendations. If, after 6 weeks, we have not received the postcard, a follow-up letter is sent to the patient. During the past year, 5,357 people were screened, 147 referred to their physicians and 71 cards, or 48.3%. returned, all showing 6ome treatment started, Gradually, more and more physicians are using our services for maintenance care. Hospital volunteers can provide a valuable service at no cost to the community and minimal cost to the hospital, thus reaching a larger segment of the population.
A-9 HYPERTENSION AND STRESS:
HIGH
BLOOD
PRESSURE
37
CONTROL
A PREVENTIVE APPROACH
Benjamin F. Banahan III, Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi; Thomas R. Sharpe The most common approach to hypertension treatment is medication. However, medical treatment has been plagued with serious problems regarding detecting cases and maintaining compliance. By definition, the high proportion of cases diagnosed as "essential hypertension" points to our inability to identify the causes of hypertension. This suggests that a psycho-social rather than a medical approach is needed if prevention is to be obtained. Such a preventive approach, based on decreasing the effects of stress, is presented. The first-step-identifying individuals overreactive to stress--was tested using Spielberger's state-trait anxiety model. Employees in 5 Mississippi industries were screened for high blood pressure in cooperation with the American Heart Association--Mississippi Affiliate. A systematic sample and all hypertensives (SBP > 160 and/or DBP > 95 mm Hg) completed the State-Trait Anxiety Inve?itory (STAI). ATTrait as a measure of individual reactiveness to stress showed a weak relationship to hypertension except in the over a measure of situation specific anxiety, 55 age group. A-State, showed a strong relationship to blood pressure. The results strongly support the existence of a relationship between stress and hypertension. Further research, however, is needed to identify a measure of reactiveness to stress. Several instruments which might fulfill this need are discussed. A-10 THE
HOSPITAL VOLUNTEER ROLE IN HYPERTENSION SCREENING
Gertrude
Banks,
St.
Francis
Hospital,
Blue
Island,
Illinoie
The only no-cost screening being done on a community-wide basis was very erratic. There was a need for a continuing program to aid both th? people and ultimately the physicians of the community. Volunteers could provide this service. Our purpose is to document as many hypertensives them to their physicians, and provide maintenance physician's discretion,
as possible, refer checking at the
Screening is available on a weekly basis during visiting hours, Approximately 80-100 people are checked each week. The all-volunteer staff consists of 1 RN and 3 laypersons, trained by the hospital's Continuing Education Department, plus 4 hostesses to register the people and maintain records. People found to have elevated readings yre referred to their ?@rsonal physicians and given postcards to be wtl.vqpfi tn the hm,cni+-1 q*v:thi: 6 weeks with the physicians' recomvendations. If, after 6 weeks, we have not received the postcard, a follow-up letter is sent to the patient. During the past year, 5,357 people were screened, 147 referred to their physicians and 71 cards, or 48.3%. returned, all showing 6ome treatment started, Gradually, more and more physicians are using our services for maintenance care. Hospital volunteers can provide a valuable service at no cost to the community and minimal cost to the hospital, thus reaching a larger segment of the population.