The Patient-Centered Outcomes Researcher Institute (PCORI), a study to look at more effective ways to tackle uncontrolled hypertension using mHealth, was funded $6.5 million to the researchers of the University of California and San Francisco. The research includes whether the patients can care for themselves better at home through mHealth devices, compare to the doctors’ office.

 “Per year 400,000 deaths have been caused by uncontrolled blood pressure in the United States. Medicines are available to control the blood pressure but multiple medications are required. Doctors and patients worry about how to measure the accurate blood pressure and want to lessen the amount of medicine consumed by the patients, new technology and development are look for the same solution but it’s not clear which will be more effective” said Mark Pletcher MD MPH research team Head.

New Mobile Health tech is helping patient get more accurate measurements of blood pressure and is helping them to coordinate with their caregivers and clinicians to control their hypertension. Recent studies have shows that mHealth platforms are more exact and safer than blood pressure checks at the doctor’s office. However, some studies have shown that mHealth does not have positive results for chronic disease monitoring and can prompt patients to take more medical care than they need.

“The research will expand PCORnet studies which PCORnet has earlier funded while taking an important step to promote PCORnets long-term sustainability by meeting the wants of more research funders beside PCORI” commented by PCORI Executive Director Joe Selby, MD, MPH in a press release.

The UCSF study was one of four approved for funding by the PCORI Board of Governors.