Provider Skill Building for Hypertension

(REACH - HTN Trial)

Overseen By Research Program Leader, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Duke University

Disqualifiers: Urgent encounters, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 3

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to help doctors improve their communication skills with patients, particularly those with hypertension (high blood pressure). Doctors will participate in a skills training program called REACH - Hypertension, and some patient visits will be recorded to evaluate the training's effectiveness. Patients will not receive new treatments, but their visits will be audio-recorded to assess the program's impact. Individuals with high blood pressure who see a participating doctor at Duke Primary Care might be suitable for this trial. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to enhance doctor-patient communication, potentially improving care for future patients.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that this skills training program is safe for doctors?

A previous study, the REACH program, aimed to improve communication between doctors and patients to better manage high blood pressure. This study did not involve medications, eliminating concerns about typical drug side effects. Instead, it assessed whether doctors could easily participate in the skills training and find it useful.

The research showed no health risks or negative effects for doctors from the training. As this trial focuses on enhancing communication skills, it does not involve treatments that could cause medical side effects. The main focus is on the practicality and usefulness of the training for doctors. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the "Provider Skill Building for Hypertension" trial because it focuses on enhancing doctors' skills, rather than introducing a new medication. Unlike standard hypertension treatments, such as ACE inhibitors or beta-blockers, this approach aims to improve how clinicians manage hypertension and interact with patients. By completing a 5-6 week program, doctors can potentially improve patient outcomes through better communication and personalized care, which could lead to more effective hypertension management across the board.

What evidence suggests that this skills training program is effective for improving doctor-patient communication in hypertension care?

This trial will evaluate the impact of provider skill-building on hypertension management. Research has shown that healthcare providers can manage high blood pressure more effectively with specialized training. In this trial, doctors in the "Clinicians" arm will complete a program designed to enhance their communication and engagement skills over 5-6 weeks. Studies have found that improved communication and engagement with patients lead to better blood pressure control. Early results suggest that when doctors work closely with patients, those patients are more likely to adhere to their treatment plans and monitor their blood pressure at home. Other research has shown that managing high blood pressure remotely can also improve control and encourage home monitoring. This evidence supports the importance of improving communication between doctors and patients for managing high blood pressure. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Investigator, PhD

Principal Investigator

Duke University

Investigator, MD

Principal Investigator

Duke University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for doctors who manage hypertension. They must be willing to have their patient interactions recorded, participate in a training program, and provide feedback through questionnaires and interviews.

Inclusion Criteria

Patient Cohort: Able to use the study tablet for consent, data collection, and audio-recording a clinical encounter

Patient Cohort, post-intervention: Not previously enrolled at any other timepoint

I am at least 18 years old.

Exclusion Criteria

Patient Cohort: Previously enrolled at any other timepoint

EHR Cohort: Urgent patient encounters

Doctor Cohort: Not an independently practicing physician (MD, DO, PA, or NP) at the enrolled Duke Primary Care clinic

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Training Program

Doctors complete a skills training program to improve communication with patients

5-6 weeks

3 hours total

Post-Training Assessment

Doctors' patient appointments are audio-recorded and questionnaires are completed

6 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in patient-centeredness and blood pressure

12-16 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• REACH - Hypertension

Trial Overview The study tests a new skills training program aimed at improving doctor-patient communication and engagement during hypertension management. It involves pre- and post-training recordings of patient appointments.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Clinicians Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Doctors will complete the program over 5-6 weeks, requiring a total of 3 hours.

Group II: Patients Active Control 1 Intervention

Enrolled patients will be asked to audio-record their clinical encounter with their enrolled primary care provider and complete two surveys. No intervention will be administered to the enrolled patients.

Group III: EHR (Electronic Health Record) Cohort Active Control 1 Intervention

EHR data will be collected on all patients of enrolled doctors. These patients will not consent, and no Intervention will be administered

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Duke University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

2,495

Recruited

5,912,000+

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)

Collaborator

Trials

3,987

Recruited

47,860,000+

Citations

1. reach.healthysms.org reach.healthysms.org/

REACH REACH seeks to mobilize patients with hypertension through myChart training and at-home blood pressure monitoring with a text messaging assistance platform that ...

2. reporter.nih.gov reporter.nih.gov/search/14EACF0B4B8AC6D57598B8961CAA4A01A2FFCEB861BF/project-details/10904910

RePORT ⟩ RePORTER We're sorry but RePORTER doesn't work properly without JavaScript enabled. Please enable it to continue.

3. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211335523001626

Effectiveness evaluation of a hypertension management ... The objective of this study was to examine effectiveness of a Hypertension Management Program (HMP) in a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC).

4. jamanetwork.com jamanetwork.com/journals/jamacardiology/fullarticle/2798467

Results of a Remotely Delivered Hypertension and Lipid ... This cohort study evaluates the efficacy of a remote hypertension and cholesterol management program vs education only among patients with ...

5. ahajournals.org ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/JAHA.122.027296

Remote Cardiovascular Hypertension Program Enhanced ... A remote clinical management program was successfully adapted and delivered significant improvements in BP control and increased home BP monitoring.

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7268693/

Reach out behavioral intervention for hypertension initiated in ... Reach Out is a factorial trial studying multicomponent, behavioral interventions to reduce blood pressure in the Emergency Department patient population.

7. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-patient-centered-care-7-2025-f45ee

Provider Skill Building for Hypertension (REACH - HTN Trial) The REACH - HTN medical study, being run by Duke University, needs participants to evaluate whether REACH - Hypertension will have tolerable side effects ...

8. ichgcp.net ichgcp.net/clinical-trials-registry/550559-provider-skill-building-for-engagement-and-communication-in-healthcare-hypertension-management

REACH-Hypertension: Improving Doctor-Patient Communication for ... This clinical trial, known as REACH-Hypertension, focuses on enhancing healthcare provider communication skills to improve hypertension management.

9. cdn.clinicaltrials.gov cdn.clinicaltrials.gov/large-docs/75/NCT07147075/ICF_000.pdf

This consent form template does not contain HIPAA language Provider Skill Building for Engagement and Communication in Healthcare. – Hypertension Management (REACH – Hypertension). Page 1 of 9. Form. M0345. Research ...

10. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S073839911400442X

Brief provider communication skills training fails to impact ... We sought to improve medication adherence and hypertension outcomes among patients with uncontrolled BP through communication skills training targeting ...