Team-based Care Improves Blood Pressure Control and is Cost-effective

A group of doctors discussing treatment options.The Community Preventive Services Task Force (CPSTF) recommends team-based care to improve blood pressure control. A systematic review of evidence from 54 studies shows team-based care increases the proportion of patients with controlled blood pressure and reduces systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure.1 A separate review of economic evidence from 35 studies indicates team-based care is also cost-effective. These findings update and replace the 2012 CPSTF recommendation for team-based care.

What is team-based care to improve blood pressure control?

Team-based care to improve blood pressure control is a health systems-level, organizational intervention that uses a multidisciplinary team to improve the quality of care. Teams include patients, primary care providers, and other professionals such as nurses, pharmacists, dietitians, social workers, and community health workers. Team responsibilities include medication management, patient follow-up, and adherence and self-management support.

Team-based care interventions typically do the following:

  • Facilitate communication and coordination of care support
  • Enhance use of evidence-based guidelines
  • Establish regular, structured follow-up mechanisms to monitor patients’ progress and schedule visits
  • Actively engage patients by providing them with education, adherence support, and tools and resources for self-management

CPSTF also recommends team-based care for patients with type 2 diabetes.

Facts about Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention

High blood pressure increases the risk for heart disease and stroke, two leading causes of death for Americans. Nearly half of U.S. adults have high blood pressure, and only about 1 in 4 have it under control. High blood pressure costs the United States about $131 billion each year, averaged over 12 years from 2003 to 2014.

For More Information:

1 High blood pressure is defined as a blood pressure at or above 130/80 mmHg. Controlled blood pressure is anything below this. See CDC’s Facts About Hypertension for more information.