ISB study uncovers critical gaps in hypertension management by private healthcare providers

Key findings from the study titled "Private Provider Practices and Incentives for Hypertension Management in Rural and Peri-Urban Telangana, India – A Qualitative Study" highlight inconsistent diagnostic practices, inadequate follow-up mechanisms, and poor record-keeping, all of which impede effective management of hypertension.

Hyderabad: A new study by the Max Institute of Healthcare Management (MIHM) at the Indian School of Business (ISB) identified critical lacunae in hypertension diagnosis and management by private healthcare providers, particularly in rural and peri-urban Telangana.

Key findings of the study titled ‘Private provider practices and incentives for hypertension management in rural and peri-urban Telangana, India– a qualitative study’ point to inconsistent diagnostic practices, improper follow-up mechanisms and inadequate record-keeping, which hinder effective hypertension management.

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The study published in BMC Health Services Research, a peer-reviewed journal, involved in-depth interviews with over 46 primary healthcare professionals and patients across three districts – Warangal Urban, Karimnagar, and Sircilla.

A concerning revelation of the study is the lack of adherence to routine opportunistic screening protocols as private practitioners measure blood pressure only when patients exhibit explicit symptoms.

Additionally, arbitrary variation in diagnostic thresholds by private practitioners further delays the diagnosis, leaving the patients devoid of treatment and at a heightened risk of complications.

The study highlighted the lack of consistent follow-up routine, pointing out high costs of diagnostic tests discourage the patients from seeing a specialist, stressing the need for financial aid to improve sustained long-term management of the disease.

Moreover, the lack of monitoring systems, poor record-keeping practices, and the absence of a structured follow-up mechanism hamper regular follow-up regime and treatment adherence, further compounding the crisis.

To improve the outcomes, the ISB-MIHM study recommended compliance to standardised screening protocols and targeted educational interventions to address knowledge gaps and attitudinal barriers among private practitioners as well as patient education for enhanced self-management.

“Hypertension is often considered a health issue primarily affecting the affluent urban populations, but its prevalence is rising among lower income groups in rural and peri-urban areas, where access to formal healthcare is limited,” said Prof. Sarang Deo, Executive Director, MIHM and one of the co-authors of the study.