Patient Perspectives on a Proposed Pharmacist-Led Hypertension Management Program Following Emergency Department Discharge.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension contributes substantially to morbidity and mortality, yet patients who rely on the emergency department (ED) may experience gaps in blood pressure management. Although pharmacist-led hypertension programs can improve blood pressure, little is known about ED patients' perspectives. We explored patient perspectives regarding the acceptability of pharmacist-led hypertension management after ED discharge. METHODS: We conducted a qualitative study of adults presenting to an urban academic ED from September-December 2025 with likely undiagnosed or undertreated hypertension. Semi-structured interviews examined experiences managing hypertension, communication preferences, and perspectives on pharmacist-led follow-up. Transcripts underwent thematic analysis incorporating deductive and inductive coding. RESULTS: Eleven participants completed interviews. Four themes were identified: limited hypertension-related communication and knowledge gaps, technology mitigating barriers to blood pressure management, pharmacists' expertise and scope, and the importance of rapport and accessibility. Participants described competing responsibilities, time constraints, and limited discussion of hypertension during ED visits. Many favored technology-enabled communication and home monitoring. Most viewed pharmacist-led follow-up favorably because of pharmacists' medication expertise and accessibility, but some expressed uncertainty about pharmacists' clinical training, prescribing authority, and accountability. Participants also valued continuity and collaboration between pharmacists and physicians. CONCLUSION: In this small sample, most participants viewed pharmacist-led hypertension management after ED discharge favorably while identifying factors that may affect acceptance. Programs should clearly communicate pharmacists' qualifications and scope, make physician collaboration visible, and balance convenient technology-enabled care with relational continuity.