Effectiveness of Telemedicine for Blood Pressure Control: A Retrospective Comparative Study at Phimai Hospital, Thailand
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Abstract
ABSTRACT
Background: Hypertension is a major chronic health problem in Thailand, particularly in areas with limited access to healthcare services. The development of telemedicine has emerged as a promising alternative to improve healthcare accessibility and reduce the burden on the health system. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of telemedicine with usual care in controlling hypertension at Phimai Hospital, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Thailand.
Design: A retrospective comparative study was conducted.
Methods: Medical records of 424 patients with hypertension between October 2023 and September 2024 were analyzed. Follow-up outcomes, including blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), and heart rate, were analyzed using the Mann–Whitney U test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test.
Results: The results showed that follow-up parameters significantly decreased in both groups, particularly at the second follow-up, reflecting the effectiveness of consistent monitoring. Furthermore, intergroup comparisons demonstrated that both systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased significantly more in the telemedicine group than in the usual care group.
Conclusions: These findings highlight the potential of telemedicine in improving hypertension control and support national policies promoting digital health systems, particularly in resource-limited settings. However, social, economic, and health behavioral factors should also be considered to ensure sustainable and long-term implementation of telemedicine services.
Keywords: hypertension, telemedicine, clinical effectiveness
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