Evaluating Effective Methods for Referral for Smoking Cessation Counseling and High Blood Pressure Follow-up

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Investigators conducted a clinic-based study to determine the magnitude of uncontrolled hypertension and current smoking in eye doctor's offices and sought to determine if referral to care results in actions taken by the patient.

Detailed Description
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Smoking and hypertension are two modifiable risk factors that are linked to highly prevalent chronic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The ophthalmology waiting room has the potential to be an effective point of intervention to provide referral to primary care in addition to health education on preventive health topics. The investigators therefore, conducted a clinic-based study to determine the magnitude of uncontrolled hypertension and current smoking in eye doctor's offices and to determine if referral to care results in actions taken by the patient. The investigators determined the proportion of patients who have elevated blood pressure. Patients were referred appropriately and the proportion of participants who followed the recommendation to meet with their primary care doctor for elevated blood pressure at 4-6 weeks and 8-10 weeks was determined. In addition, those who consented to be in the study and admitted to smoking cigarettes were offered smoking cessation assistance through a quit line. Investigators also followed up on cigarette smoking at 4-6 weeks and 8-10 weeks.

Official Title
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Evaluating Effective Methods for Referral for Smoking Cessation Counseling and High Blood Pressure Follow-up

Conditions
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Hypertension, Smoking Cessation

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Referral to primary care physician for hypertension control
* Behavioral: Referral to smoking quit line


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Patients >18 years of age presenting to the glaucoma service and general eye service at Wilmer Eye Institute. Exclusion Criteria: Non-English speakers Unable to provide written informed consent

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Screening
Allocation: Non-Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Other: Hypertension patient referral<br>Referral to primary care physician for hypertension control: Patients with uncontrolled hypertension were referred to a primary care physician for treatment. | Behavioral: Referral to primary care physician for hypertension control<br>* Referral to primary care physician for hypertension control<br>|
| Other: Smoking cessation patient referral<br>Referral to smoking quit line: Patients that were current smokers were referred to the Maryland smoking cessation quit line if they were willing. | Behavioral: Referral to smoking quit line<br>* Referral to Maryland Tobacco/Smoking quit line for help with smoking cessation<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Proportion of patients with elevated blood pressure |  | 1 day (at study clinic visit) | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Proportion of patients that are current smokers |  | 1 day (at study clinic visit) | 
| Proportion of patients with elevated blood pressure that sought referral care |  | From study visit to 10 weeks after | 
| Proportion of patients that were current smokers that sought referral quit line assistance |  | From study visit to 10 weeks after |