فهرست نشریات علمی دسترسی آزاد ایران

Background and objective: Telemedicine is the utilization of electronic and digital technologies for the provision of healthcare services to patients in different regions. Given the increasing prevalence of hypertension and inadequate patient compliance with medication, this study aimed to investigate the impact of telemedicine on the treatment adherence of hypertensive patients in rural areas of City Khanaqin, Iraq. Method: This quasi-experimental study was conducted among hypertensive patients attending healthcare centers in Khanaqin City  during January  to December 2023. The sampling method employed a total population approach, and patients were selected based on random allocation while adhering to entry and exit criteria. Data collection involved the use of two questionnaires: one for demographic and clinical characteristics, and the other for assessing adherence to hypertension treatment using the Morisky scale. A significance level of less than 0.05 was considered. Result: The mean age of hypertensive patients in the intervention (telemedicine) group was 56.3±11.421 years, while in the control group, it was 55.9±9.661 years. Medication adherence among hypertensive patients indicated that before the intervention, 65 (92.8%) patients in the intervention group had low to moderate adherence to medication, and 5 (7.2%) had high adherence. After the intervention, 63 (90%) patients exhibited moderate to high adherence, while 7 (10%) showed low adherence. Significant changes in medication adherence were not observed in the control group. The differences in medication adherence between the two groups were statistically significant (P≤0.001). Furthermore, there were significant changes in blood pressure within the intervention group, accompanied by a reduction in mean blood pressure. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that telemedicine and remote healthcare improved medication adherence among hypertensive patients, consequently leading to a reduction in blood pressure and better disease management among the patients.