Challenges in accessing health information among patients with uncontrolled hypertension in Singapore: a qualitative study

Abstract

Accessing health information is the crucial first step before an individual can understand, appraise, and apply it to improve their health. Health information is important for patients with chronic diseases such as hypertension, where effective self-management is essential for disease control. This is particularly critical for patients with uncontrolled hypertension, who are at higher risk of life-threatening complications. Thus, this study aimed to explore the gaps in accessing health information among patients with uncontrolled hypertension. A descriptive-interpretative qualitative research was conducted in 2024 at three public primary care clinics. Patients with uncontrolled hypertension were recruited through purposive sampling. Individual in-depth interviews were done by trained researchers in participants’ preferred language, using a semi-structured interview guide. The interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. The transcripts were managed using NVivo 14 and analysed thematically using an inductive approach. A total of 17 patients (age 46 to 80 years old; 52.9% male; 70.6% Chinese) were interviewed. The patients in this study often accessed health information on hypertension management from two main sources: primary care providers (PCPs) providers and online platforms. The challenges they experienced with accessing health information included: generic advice from PCPs and uncertainty about online credibility, insufficient information from PCPs and overwhelming online information, inconsistent health information, and prioritisation of health information on diabetes over hypertension. This study highlights the challenges in accessing personalised, trustworthy, consistent and actionable health information among patients with uncontrolled hypertension. These challenges underscore their lack of ability to appraise and subsequently use health information appropriately. This study also reveals significant gaps both in the provision of health information by PCPs and patients’ ability to evaluate online information.