Research Projects
Enhancing Hypertension Management in Primary Healthcare: An Interprofessional Collaborative Approach Based on Self-Determination Theory

Objective and Significance: 
The management of hypertension relies heavily on patients making the key behavioral changes, such as medication adherence, dietary modifications, physical activity, and smoking cessation. These behavioral changes necessitate commitment, depending on their motivation, engagement, and cooperation. Self-Determination Theory (SDT) offers a framework to enhance these behaviors by fostering patients’ autonomy, competence, and relatedness. 

Effective hypertension management also requires Interprofessional Collaboration (IPC), which leverages diverse expertise to provide patient-centered care. Although IPC’s impact on professionals’ attitudes and role understanding is well-documented, its effectiveness in managing chronic patients remains underexplored. 

This project will develop an IPC intervention based on SDT principles and the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). It will:

1. Review the effectiveness of recent IPC interventions for hypertension management, and 
2. Evaluate the impact of an SDT-driven IPC intervention through a randomized controlled trial (RCT), focusing on clinical outcomes (e.g., blood pressure) and patient-centered outcomes (e.g., motivation and engagement).
   

Research Plan and Methodology: 
A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on IPC interventions for hypertension management will be conducted to assess their impact on clinical and process outcomes. The findings will inform the development of a three-month IPC-SDT intervention. An estimated 130 patients will be randomly assigned to either the IPC intervention group or a control group. Healthcare professionals in the IPC group will receive training to enhance their IPC skills. The primary outcome will measure changes in systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels from baseline to the end of the intervention. Secondary outcomes will assess the patients’ changes in autonomy, competence, relatedness, motivation, and engagement, using validated Likert scale tools, from baseline to the end of the intervention.

Professor Fraide A. Ganotice, Jr, Bau Institute of Medical and Health Sciences Education

Professor Fraide Ganotice is an Associate Professor specializing in interprofessional education and collaborative practice, educational psychology, measurement and evaluation, and group processes. He holds several key positions at the Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong. These roles include Director of the Bau Institute of Medical and Health Sciences Education (BIMHSE), Programme Director of Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Practice, Programme Director of Research and Scholarship, and Programme Director of Student Teaching and Reflection (STaR) Programme. Under his leadership, the LKS Faculty of Medicine has become the first in Asia and the second globally, following Dundee University in the UK, to offer the Associate Fellowship of Advance HE. Additionally, he serves as the Project Coordinator of the Peer Teaching Certificate Programme, Programme Co-coordinator of electronic Problem-Based Learning (ePBL), and Chairperson of the Departmental Research Postgraduate Committees.

For more information or to express interest for this project, please email the supervisor or the specified contact point in the project description.  Interested candidates are advised to enclose with your email:

1. your CV,
2. a brief description of your research interest and experience, and
3. two reference letters (not required for HKUMed UG students seeking MRes[Med]/URIS projects).

Information on the research programme, funding support and admission documentations could be referenced online at the Research Postgraduate Admissions website. General admission enquiries should be directed to rpgmed@hku.hk.

HKUMed MBBS students interested in the Master of Research in Medicine (MRes[Med]) programme may visit the programme website for more information.  

HKUMed UG students interested in the Undergraduate Research Internship Scheme (URIS) may visit the scheme’s website for more information.