INVOLVING MEDICAL ASSISTANTS IN THE DETECTION AND CONTROL OF BLOOD PRESSURE IN THE POPULATION

Objective: The aim of this work was to assess the effectiveness of identifying patients with arterial hypertension and evaluate the provision of care using pharmacists, medical assistants and the use of various information services. Design and method: A total of 1425 participants were included in the study, 61.75% women and 38.25% men. The drugs and all the examination were free of charge. Drugs were given to 691 patients (which is 48.49% of the total number of examined and 89.28% of those who were diagnosed with AH). Thus, less than half of the initial number of examined included in the study agreed to treatment. Results: 691 patients with a diagnosis of hypertension established in private clinics in Kyiv, who received a completely free examination and consultation of a doctor, were prescribed drugs in the form of monotherapy or based on free or fixed combinations at the discretion of the doctor. 493 patients (71.35%) came to the second visit for the distribution of free drugs. 387 patients (56.00%) already came to the third visit for the distribution of drugs, and 307 patients (44.43%) came to the 4th, 193 patients (27.93%) to the 5th, and 88 patients (12.73%) to the 6th visit. As a result of the program, all participants, both healthy and with detected hypertension, showed improved adherence to a healthy lifestyle, with improved nutrition, increased physical activity, and reduced harmful habits. That is, constant communication with program participants and explanations about the feasibility of a healthy lifestyle had a positive impact on the examined program participants. The program participants were asked how they see the program improving in the future. The main wishes were: - more live communication; - additional care calls; - support from a specialist during participation in the program. Therefore, the main wish was more live communication and care calls. Conclusions: This program is an example of an attempt to build a system of detection, control and long-term observation in an organized population and has proven the positive role of pharmaceuticals in identifying and improving the adherence of patients with hypertension to treatment.