Continuity of care for people with hypertension in primary health care: a scoping review.
Amanda Maria Villas Bôas Ribeiro, Patty Fidelis de Almeida, Ana Luiza Queiroz Vilasbôas
PMID 41512169WHAT IT FOUND
Continuity of care for hypertension in primary care was associated with better blood pressure control, adherence, and fewer hospitalizations, but barriers included medication shortages, incomplete records, long waits, and staff turnover.
Key findings
01The review included 32 studies of continuity of care for hypertension in primary health care.
02Continuity with the same professional was reported as associated with better blood pressure control and treatment adherence.
03Shortages of antihypertensive medicines and blood pressure devices were listed as barriers to continuity.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
This is a scoping review, so it maps evidence rather than testing whether continuity strategies work. The included studies were heterogeneous in design and scope, which limited direct comparison. The authors also note few studies of successful continuity implementation. Much of the evidence came from primary health care settings in Brazil and other countries, so it may not fit every local service.
Declared interests
The supplied text does not report funding sources or conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read the associations with blood pressure control and fewer hospitalizations as proof that continuity interventions work. This is a scoping review of heterogeneous studies, not a tested treatment.